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3rd Regional Consultation Workshop on the CAREC Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy

The Third Regional Consultation Workshop (the Workshop) for CAREC Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy (CAREC TTFS) was convened on 30-31 January 2008 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Delegations from all eight CAREC countries and representatives of multilateral institutions (MIs) and bilateral institutions (BIs) including the Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and  Development, European Commission (EU), EU Transport Corridor Europe–Caucasus–Asia (EU-TRACECA), Islamic Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, United  Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Bank, and World Customs Organization (WCO) participated. About 70 persons attended the Workshop and active rapports were observed throughout the two days.

The major features of CAREC TTFS report were presented at the Workshop. A draft Action Plan for implementation of the CAREC TTFS was also presented. The delegations of CAREC participating countries and representatives of MIs/BIs provided comprehensive comments and suggestions.  CAREC TTFS report and the draft Action Plan will be revised based on the comments after the Consultant’s planned visits to all eight CAREC countries scheduled for February-March 2008.

UNESCAP, World Bank, and WCO made presentations on (i) the models for performance measurement, and (ii) transport and trade facilitation committees. An appropriate performance measurement model will be identified for CAREC TTFS and will be used for the CAREC corridors. Transport and trade facilitation management structures will be further discussed during the Consultant’s field visits and will be included in the CAREC TTFS report, taking into account national legislations in CAREC participating countries.

The revised drafts of CARECTTFS report and Action Plan will be submitted to CAREC countries around mid May 2008. It is expected that the CAREC TTFS report will be finalized and the Action Plan will be endorsed at the next Transport Sector Coordinating Committee Meeting scheduled for June/July 2008.

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At the end of the workshop, participants will have:

• Presented their comments and suggestions on the Draft Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy Report
• Reviewed the draft Action Plan for 2008-2013

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Representatives of the Transport Sector Coordinating Committee and the Customs Cooperation Committee from the eight CAREC participating countries (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, People’s Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan)

Representatives from multilateral institutions and other donor agencies: Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Commission (EU), EU Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (EU-TRACECA), Islamic Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Bank, and World Customs Organization (WCO)