ADB Approves $400 Million to Upgrade CAREC Border Crossings
The Asian Development Bank approved $400 million to modernize border infrastructure and ease trade across CAREC countries.
ADB Approves $400 Million to Upgrade CAREC Border Crossings
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $400 million regional financing facility called BUILD to modernize border crossing points, cut transport and logistics costs, and improve the movement of people and goods across the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) region, according to the bank.
The Border Upgrades for Integration, Logistics, and Development (BUILD) facility will fund priority investments in border infrastructure, enhance connectivity, and strengthen competitiveness among CAREC member countries.
"Borders are not just checkpoints. They are gateways to creating jobs, developing regional markets, and expanding opportunities for income generation," said ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Leah Gutierrez.
Gutierrez said the BUILD facility will help CAREC nations create faster, more modern, and better-connected border crossings, which is expected to tackle inefficiencies by bringing economies closer together, widening cross-border markets, and developing economic corridors.
The modernization drive targets persistent bottlenecks at border crossing points along CAREC transport corridors, where trade growth, infrastructure limitations, capacity constraints, and outdated border management procedures continue to slow movement.
According to ADB assessments, existing border constraints cause economic losses and create challenges for transport operators, trade businesses, and passengers, while increasing risks tied to human trafficking, environmental degradation, and public health threats.
Money allocated through the BUILD facility will be directed to priority projects at rail and road checkpoints in CAREC countries. Planned actions include building modern infrastructure, introducing digital systems, and installing advanced inspection and control equipment.
Work will also concentrate on simplifying and harmonizing border control procedures to reduce crossing times and related costs.
In addition, the facility includes efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, support transport and logistics sector reforms, and encourage private sector participation.
The BUILD initiative is intended to create opportunities for private investment while supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in areas such as agriculture, tourism, and transport services, helping them participate more effectively in regional trade.
The CAREC program includes Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Member countries work with development partners to advance sustainable growth through regional cooperation, with ADB serving as the CAREC Secretariat.
Founded in 1966, the Asian Development Bank is owned by 69 members, 50 of which are in the Asia-Pacific region.