Project Data Sheet

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program: Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

PDS Creation Date
PDS Updated as of 30 Apr 2013

Project Name Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation: Midterm Review of the Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy and Implementation Action Plan
Country Regional
Project/Program Number 46263-001
Status Proposed
Geographical Location
In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.
Sector and/or Subsector Classification Transport and ICT
/ Transport Management and Policies
Thematic Classification Regional cooperation and integration
Gender Mainstreaming Categories

Financing

Type/Modality of Assistance Approval Number Source of Funding Approved Amount (thousand)
Technical Assistance-Technical Assistance Special Fund225
Technical Assistance8160Technical Assistance Special Fund1,500
TOTAL US$ 1,725

Summary of Environmental and Social Issues

Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples

Stakeholder Communication, Participation and Consultation

During Project Design
During Project Implementation

Description

The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy developed with Asian Development Bank (ADB) technical assistance (TA) and endorsed by CAREC countries in 2007 aims to support CAREC s goal of development through cooperation by upgrading, through construction and rehabilitation, key corridors across the region and simplifying and harmonizing the regulations that govern cross-border trade in the region. The TA will contribute to expanded trade among CAREC countries and between CAREC countries and the rest of the world. The outcome of the TA will be the endorsement and adoption of the updated CAREC Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy by the CAREC countries.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

Central Asia is landlocked and therefore high transport costs constitute a major constraint to its development. Meanwhile, Central Asia has a potential to become important transit routes connecting East Asia and Europe, as well as South Asia and the Russian Federation. The CAREC Program aims to promote development in the CAREC countries by strengthening their economic links through cooperation. As transport is a priority sector under CAREC, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) helped develop the CAREC Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy (the Strategy) in 2008 under the regional technical assistance. The Strategy has the goal of developing an efficient regional transport network for optimal integration of the region internally and with the rest of the world. The Strategy identified six corridors and was to be implemented over a period of ten years till 2017. The Strategy requires a midterm review during 2012-2013, which will refine the Strategy, if necessary, for effective implementation during the remaining period. The 10th Ministerial Conference on CAREC, held in Baku, Azerbaijan on 5-6 November 2011, called for the midterm review of the Strategy. It is proposed that a regional technical assistance (TA) grant from ADB be extended to finance the midterm review of the Strategy. Significant progress has been made on implementing the Strategy. As of the end of 2011, 79% of the total 8,640 kilometers of the CAREC corridors built or improved, which exceeded the 2011 targets. This has greatly contributed to increased traffic (including transit traffic) and trade flows in the CAREC region, as well as between CAREC and neighboring regions. Despite the important progress, a number of development issues in the transport sector remain to be addressed. These issues are (i) connectivity, (ii) sustainability, (iii) road safety, and (iv) delays in cross-border movements.

Development Impact

Expanded trade among CAREC countries, and between CAREC countries and the rest of the world.

Project Outcome

Description of Outcome
Updated CAREC Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy endorsed and updated by the CAREC countries.
Progress Towards Outcome

Outputs and Implementation Progress

Description of Project Outputs
Comprehensive stock-take report on the implementation of the CAREC Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy, 2008-2012 Updated CAREC Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)
Status of Development Objectives
Material Changes

Business Opportunities

Date of First Listing 2013 Apr 03
Consulting Services
The consultants will be engaged in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (April 2010, as amended from time to time) using QCBS procurement method.
Procurement
Procurement will follow ADB's Procurement Guidelines (2010, as amended from time to time).
Procurement and Consulting Notices
http://www.adb.org/projects/46263-001/business-opportunities

Timetable

Concept Clearance 26 Jun 2012
Fact-finding
Management Review Meeting
Approval 02 Apr 2013
Last Review Mission

Milestones

Approval No. Approval Signing Effectivity Closing
Original Revised Actual

Utilization

Date Approval Number ADB (US$ thousand) Others (US$ thousand) Net Percentage
Cumulative Contract Awards
Cumulative Disbursements

TA Amount (US$ thousand)

Approval Number Approved Amount Revised Amount Total Commitment Uncommitted Balance Total Disbursement Undisbursed Balance

Contacts and Update Details

Responsible ADB Officer Sunil Mitra (smitra@adb.org)
Responsible ADB Department Central and West Asia Department
Responsible ADB Divisions Transport and Communications Division, CWRD
Executing Agencies Asian Development Bank

Links

Project Website http://www.adb.org/projects/46263-001/main
List of Project Documents http://www.adb.org/projects/46263-001/documents