CAREC program attracts $60.2 billion in investments over 25 years

The total volume of investments attracted under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program has reached $60.2 billion over its 25-year history, Report informs, citing the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The number of CAREC member countries has grown from five founding states to 11 partners.

At a meeting in Ulaanbaatar, ministers from member countries adopted a declaration outlining key areas for further regional cooperation. Projects implemented under CAREC have contributed to improving transport and energy infrastructure and expanding access to regional markets.

The next stage of the program will focus on simplifying trade procedures and boosting investment through the modernization of border crossing points, as well as the development of electricity and digital networks.

In 2025, intra-CAREC trade accounted for around 5% of the member countries' total trade turnover, indicating significant untapped potential for expanding business ties within the region.

To unlock this potential, the ADB is developing a new generation of economic corridors across the CAREC region, integrating investments in transport infrastructure, energy, digital connectivity, trade, human capital and urban development.

The ADB plans to provide more than $7.5 billion in financing by 2030 and expects to mobilize around $3 billion in private capital.

Since the beginning of 2025, the bank has already allocated approximately $3 billion, representing around 30% of the $10 billion financing package planned through 2030. The funds have been directed to projects in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

As of August 2026, total investments under the CAREC Program had reached $60.2 billion, including $19.9 billion provided by the Asian Development Bank.