Asian Development Bank

Unlocking the Potential of Railways Asian Development Bank

About 25,000 kilometers of railway corridors connect countries within the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) region. CAREC countries export mostly to the European Union (33% of exports in 2015) and the People's Republic of China (19%), but growing export-import activity is underserved. The rail network does not match changing trade patterns. Improved rail service quality is needed to facilitate regional cooperation. This publication provides a blueprint for sound, long-term development of CAREC railways into a quick, efficient, and accessible transport system. The 2017-2030 CAREC railway strategy intends to equip the region's railways to better capture evolving trade flows and contribute to regional economic development by improving rail and multimodal infrastructure and commercializing and reforming railway activities.