Publications

This publication provides briefings on key trade issues in Central Asia: (i) addressing technical barriers to trade, (ii) expanding trade in services, (iii) engaging in regional trade agreements, and (iv) establishing special economic zones. These issues are priorities under the CAREC Integrated Trade Agenda 2030. This set of short papers aims to support policy deliberations and implementation at the regional and national levels

This publication discusses how the CAREC Program can enhance trade by addressing key challenges, including poor market access, limited economic diversification, and weak institutions for trade. CAREC’s new trade strategy leverages on the successes of past CAREC trade work built on mutual trust and collective efforts. It is designed to foster deepened regional cooperation and integration

Trade helps drive inclusive growth and poverty reduction. Strong value added from trade-related activities contributes to economic growth and development in developing Asia. Global trade helps reallocate capital and labor toward sectors with comparative advantage.

The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation(CAREC) Program has established six corridors that crisscross the region, shortening structural distances for people and freight. It continues to chip away at barriers to trade by improving hardware and software elements that require cooperation between neighbors and the region in general.

CAREC 2030 provides the new long-term strategic framework for the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program leading to 2030.

We, the Ministers representing the Governments of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, People’s Republic of China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, adopt the following declaration after the 16th Ministerial Conference on Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 27 October 2017.

A Background Note for the Panel Discussion at the Ministerial Conference

ADB, ADBI and CI seek to facilitate and strengthen collaboration, including cofinancing, and participation in agreed activities in connection with the priority areas of mutual interest, where relevant and feasible.

We develop an index to measure the degree of regional integration in Asia and the Pacific (48 economies in six subregions). The index comprises 26 indicators in six dimensions of regional integration, i.e., trade and investment, money and finance, regional value chains, infrastructure and connectivity, free movement of people, and institutional and social integration.

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.