Publications

This is the first progress report prepared by the CAREC Institute (CI) for Senior Officials Meeting (SOM)/Ministerial Conference (MC).

This CAREC Program Development Effectiveness Review is the sixth annual consolidated picture of progress made by country and multilateral institution partners of CAREC toward economic development through regional cooperation

First CAREC Think Tanks Development Forum was held on June 20th and 21st at Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan with the participation of representatives from think tanks and research organizations from across the member countries of CAREC (Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation) Program. The Forum was jointly organized by CAREC Institute (CI) based in Urumqi, People’s Republic of China and Asian Development Bank (ADB) with the support of Government of Republic of Kazakhstan and Graduate School of Public Policy of Nazarbayev University. The purpose of the Forum was to discuss future cooperation prospects, to develop a Network of Think Tanks from across the Region and create a power house of knowledge to inform CAREC initiative.

Preparation of the refined Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy (TTFS 2020) for the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program commenced in November 2012. The TTFS 2020 was developed through a comprehensive review of the original TTFS, progress made from 2008 to date, and extensive country consultations. These consultations included field visits to all 10 CAREC countries; engaging with development partners, potential private sector stakeholders, freight forwarders’ associations, and logistics services providers; and meetings with members of the CAREC Transport Sector Coordinating Committee (TSCC) and Customs Cooperation Committee (CCC).

This trade policy agenda is based on numerous recent studies that indicate that there are substantial potential gains to economies that lower trade costs.

The ADB Working Paper Series on Regional Economic Integration focuses on topics relating to regional cooperation and integration in the areas of infrastructure and software, trade and investment, money and finance, and regional public goods.

To ensure effective and timely achievement of the strategic objectives laid out in CAREC 2020, the 11th CAREC Ministerial Conference held in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China (PRC) in October 2012 endorses the Wuhan Action Plan. Three priority areas of actions are detailed in the Wuhan Action Plan to guide the CAREC Program through its next phase of operations.

The Senior Officials' Meeting requested ADB as CAREC Secretariat to conduct an assessment of CAREC Institute for implementing the Strategic Knowledge Framework, and that the assessment should include recommendations on the physical versus virtual modality, including possible establishment of a network of resource and training centers; associated governance structure; and estimated cost and funding sources. The assessment was submitted to the 11th Ministerial Conference held in November 2012.

This paper lays out a strategic framework for CAREC Institute during 2013-2017. The paper is a work-in-progress, and will go through consultations for further improvements.

This brochure gives an overview of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program. It briefly explains the program, its structure, its comprehensive action plan, the four priority sectors (transport, trade facilitation, trade policy, and energy), and its other initiatives.

CAREC 2020 provides the strategic framework for the Program’s next 10 years. It reflects the required enhancements in the CAP to move the Program toward its vision of Good Neighbors, Good Partners, and Good Prospects.