DUSHANBE, June 4, 2014, Asia-Plus – Issues related to further consultations between the Government of Tajikistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on assessment of strategies and approaches for development of economic corridors and formation of system approach to expansion of cooperation of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation, or CAREC, Program with public sector were discussed here on June 3 at a meeting of the head of Tajikistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Sharif Said with ADB representatives Pradeep Srivastava, Oleg Samukhin and Guoliang Wu.

According to the CCI press center, the sides, in particular, discussed opportunities of creation and development of economic corridors and involvement of Tajikistan in regional cooperation.

The ADB representatives reportedly presented the CAREC Program’s vision “Good Neighbors, Good Partners, and Good Prospects.”

The sides also discussed ADB-supported energy, construction, road rehabilitation, trade and public sector development projects.

The CCI press center says that foreign investors are interested in Tajikistan’s integration into world’s transport system.

Tajik CCI head noted that due to foreign loans and grants Tajikistan had implemented a number of infrastructure development projects in recent years and turned into the country with trade corridors to China, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and India.

Sharif Said expressed confidence that introducing new transit corridors into operation will promote expansion of trade cooperation in the region.

The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program is a partnership of 10 countries (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), supported by 6 multilateral institutions, working together to promote development through cooperation, leading to accelerated growth and poverty reduction.

The Program''s long-term vision is Good Neighbors, Good Partners, and Good Prospects.

With the rapid economic expansion of China and Japan to the east, the Russian Federation to the north, and India and Pakistan to the south, there is unprecedented opportunity for CAREC countries to emerge as a center of trade and commerce, achieve higher levels of economic growth, and reduce poverty.

CAREC helps Central Asia and its neighbors realize their significant potential by promoting regional cooperation in four priority areas: Transport; Trade Facilitation; Energy, and Trade Policy.