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.

We are pleased to announce that the CAREC Institute’s office has now been set up in Urumqi and will start operation in December 2014.

The ADB Central and West Asia Department (CWRD) Working Paper Series is a forum for stimulating discussion and eliciting feedback on ongoing and recently completed economic, sector, and policy work undertaken by ADB staff members, consultants, or resource persons in the context of the operational work of CWRD.

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.

The CAREC Institute Performance Assessment Review (CIPAR) serves as an interim assessment for the purpose of eliciting guidance on the design of the Institute’s subsequent activities and programs.

The CAREC Institute Performance Assessment Review (CIPAR) serves as an interim assessment for the purpose of eliciting guidance on the design of the Institute’s subsequent activities and programs. This exercise was conducted given the need to: (i) offer considerations for the Institute work plan for 2012–2014 and, (ii) complement the review of the overall CAREC Program’s strategic directions, as sought in the CAREC 10-year Commemorative Study.

This study presents a consolidated picture of development projects on the transport and trade facilitation sectors in the CAREC region between 2000 and 2008. It focuses on actions funded by development agencies active in the region, providing an opportunity for all parties to share information and experience about their work in the region, seek more effective ways of coordination, and explore options for further collaboration.