CAREC Institute Participates in CPMM Methodology Workshop to Strengthen Role in Trade Corridor Monitoring

The CAREC Corridor Performance Measurement and Monitoring (CPMM) Methodology Workshop was successfully held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from October 29 to 30, 2024. This event brought together key stakeholders, including private-sector CPMM partners, customs authorities, and representatives from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and CAREC Institute, to enhance the CPMM framework’s effectiveness in assessing trade facilitation indicators across CAREC corridors.

The CPMM mechanism, developed by ADB, serves as a vital tool for evaluating performance and efficiency across the CAREC transport network, which connects 11 member countries.  By identifying sources of delay and additional costs, CPMM delivers evidence-based insights to guide policy measures aimed at alleviating trade bottlenecks. 

Throughout the two-day workshop, participants engaged in dynamic discussions on topics such as advancements in data collection methodologies, refined analytical tools, and optimized reporting techniques. Interactive sessions addressed real-world challenges and potential solutions for improving trade flow efficiency across the CAREC region, offering valuable takeaways for all attendees.

In his address, Dr. Kuat Akizhanov, Deputy Director Two of the CAREC Institute, highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the CAREC Institute and ADB, expressing the Institute’s willingness to embrace an expanded role in CPMM activities. Drawing on the Institute’s experience in international trade policy and regional cooperation, Dr. Akizhanov outlined a phased transition plan through which the CAREC Institute will progressively take on CPMM responsibilities. Dr. Ghulam Samad, Chief of the Research Division at the CAREC Institute, further emphasized the Institute’s commitment to delivering high-quality CPMM outputs, including comprehensive reports, policy briefs, and data resources, to support evidence-based policy recommendations across the region.

In a closed-door meeting, the CAREC Institute and ADB discussed a structured roadmap for the transfer of CPMM responsibilities. This transition will focus initially on enhancing the Institute’s research capacity to sustain and expand CPMM’s output quality. As this responsibility shifts, the CPMM will be positioned as a flagship initiative within the CAREC region, reinforcing the CAREC Institute’s role in advancing regional trade efficiency.