Economic Cooperation in the Wider Central Asia Region

by Byrd, William A.; Raiser, Martin; Dobronogov, Anton; Kitain, Alexander

• ISBN13: 9780821366011
• ISBN10: 0821366017
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-05-15
• Publisher: World Bank

Summary

This publication examines issues that affect regional development and economic co-operation in the wider Central Asia region, using a framework based on two main areas of analysis: i) critical linkages between sectors, including border management, security, and trade and transit facilitation; and between electricity trade, hydropower generation and water issues; and ii) the political obstacles to progress and the need for incentives to build mutual confidence and ease political concerns, complemented by initiatives that augment and change the distribution of benefits and which therefore make regional co-operation more likely to deliver progress.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	v
Executive Summary	vii
Introduction	1	(8)
Historical Background	2	(1)
The Economies of the Region	3	(3)
Current Geopolitical and Political Economy Considerations	6	(3)
Main Challenges and Prospects for Regional Cooperation	9	(22)
Thematic Overview	9	(3)
Security, Border Management, Narcotics, and Labor Movements	12	(4)
Transport Infrastructure: Issues and Prospects	16	(3)
Prospects and Constraints for Development of Regional/Transit Trade	19	(4)
Energy Development and Energy Trade Prospects	23	(3)
Water Development, Use, and Management	26	(5)
Entry Points and Ways Forward	31	(48)
Framework and Approach	31	(1)
Ways Forward in Three Areas	32	(2)
Concluding Comments	34	(3)
APPENDIXES
A. Prospects for Electricity Trade	37	(14)
B. Bringing the Region Closer Together Through Transport Connections	51	(16)
C. Improving Trade and Transit Facilitation	67	(12)
References	79