Regional : South Caucasus Gateways

Sovereign Project | 55118-001

The proposed regional knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) will facilitate the development of a regional cooperation approach to unleash the economic potential of the South Caucasus regioncomprising of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgiain the new realm of reopening gateways agreed in the 2020 Armenia-Azerbaijan Ceasefire Agreement. The South Caucasus Regional Cooperation Approach (SCRCA) will assess the benefits of economic cooperation within and beyond the region, amidst political uncertainties. The approach will provide options to identify and optimize international and domestic gateways and provide a roadmap for the region to regain its historical significance for trade and transit especially with Central West Asia and as a bridge to Europe. Blocked historical transport routes because of divided land and closed border crossing points result in high costs for trade, reducing the competitiveness of the region's exports.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Rosbach, Kristian
    Central and West Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Regional
  • Sector
    • Transport
Project Name South Caucasus Gateways
Project Number 55118-001
Country / Economy Regional
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Georgia
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 6800-REG: South Caucasus Gateway
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 750,000.00
Operational Priorities OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality
OP5: Promoting rural development and food security
OP6: Strengthening governance and institutional capacity
OP7: Fostering regional cooperation and integration
Sector / Subsector

Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Agro-industry, marketing, and trade

Industry and trade / Industry and trade sector development - Trade and services

Transport / Multimodal logistics - Transport policies and institutional development

Gender Some gender elements
Description The proposed regional knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) will facilitate the development of a regional cooperation approach to unleash the economic potential of the South Caucasus regioncomprising of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgiain the new realm of reopening gateways agreed in the 2020 Armenia-Azerbaijan Ceasefire Agreement. The South Caucasus Regional Cooperation Approach (SCRCA) will assess the benefits of economic cooperation within and beyond the region, amidst political uncertainties. The approach will provide options to identify and optimize international and domestic gateways and provide a roadmap for the region to regain its historical significance for trade and transit especially with Central West Asia and as a bridge to Europe. Blocked historical transport routes because of divided land and closed border crossing points result in high costs for trade, reducing the competitiveness of the region's exports. New gateways can yield considerable economic benefits for the region and hence support the political peacebuilding process.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy Each country of the South Caucasus region claims its role as a transport hub between Asia and Europe. To realize this potential, however, the countries' cooperation among each other is a precondition. South Caucasus gateways are competing with other transport routes and only the fastest and least expensive routes will attract significant transport flows. All three countries have made significant efforts to improve soft and hard trade infrastructureincluding investments to reduce travel time and facilitate tradeand align with international integration initiatives. The region would benefit from improved connections. The SCRCA will aim to leverage the region's investments, trade facilitation efforts, and significance in interregional transport gateways to provide transport and trade options that benefit Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The approach will be sensitive to political realities, consider the status of existing transport infrastructure, help maximize benefits from trade agreements, support the diversification of exports through lower transport costs, and enhance value added in the region. The approach will also assess new tourism opportunities through re-opened gateways within the region and with neighboring countries.
Impact

Understanding and commitment of Caucasus countries with a shared vision for the South Caucasus Gateway improved

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Trade among Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and their neighbors increased

Progress Toward Outcome
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Potential for trade, transit, regional value chains and free trade agreements within political economy considerations assessed

South Caucasus Regional Cooperation Approach developed

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)
Geographical Location Armenia - Nation-wide; Azerbaijan - Nation-wide; Georgia - Nation-wide
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design
During Project Implementation
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services A total of 25 person-months of individual consulting services (up to 8 international consultants for 15 person-months and up to 9 national consultants for 10 person-months) will be provided using mostly lumpsum/output-based contracts.
Responsible ADB Officer Rosbach, Kristian
Responsible ADB Department Central and West Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Div, CWRD
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank
Timetable
Concept Clearance 18 Jun 2021
Fact Finding -
MRM -
Approval 11 Oct 2021
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 11 Oct 2021

TA 6800-REG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
11 Oct 2021 - 11 Oct 2021 31 Dec 2023 - -
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
750,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 750,000.00 17 Jun 2022 276,371.84

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.

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Title Document Type Document Date
South Caucasus Gateways: Technical Assistance Report Technical Assistance Reports Oct 2021

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

None currently available.


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Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
Transport Specialist (ARM) Individual - Consulting Closed
Transport Specialist (GEO) Individual - Consulting Closed
Logistics Network Modeler Individual - Consulting Closed
Transport Specialist (AZE) Individual - Consulting Closed
Modeling/Forecasting Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Highway Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Aviation Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Transport Specialist (Team Leader) Individual - Consulting Closed
Transport Economist Individual - Consulting Closed
Rail Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Economist (Georgia) Individual - Consulting Closed
Economist (Azerbaijan) Individual - Consulting Closed
Economist (Armenia) Individual - Consulting Closed
Regional Agro-Food Value-Chain Assessment Individual - Consulting Closed
Political Economy Assessment Individual - Consulting Closed

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

None currently available.