CAREC Hits $60 Billion Milestone as Regional Trade Focus Shifts

The partnership, which has expanded from five founding countries to 11, reached a cumulative investment of $60.2 billion by August 2026. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has acted as a primary driver, contributing $19.9 billion toward the modernization of 20,000 kilometers of road and rail networks. ADB President Masato Kanda emphasized that this evolution requires countries to place their economic future in one another's hands, moving beyond simple construction to systemic integration.

To bridge the trade divide, the initiative is launching the $400 million Border Upgrades for Integration, Logistics and Development (BUILD) Facility. This effort will be complemented by a proposed trade and investment partnership designed to standardize cross-border rules. Simultaneously, the ADB plans to mobilize $10.5 billion in public and private funding through 2030 to develop economic corridors that link transport and digital infrastructure with local job creation.

Energy remains a central pillar of this expansion. The strategy includes a $1.5 billion pipeline for power projects, highlighted by a proposed electricity link across the Caspian Sea connecting Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. By integrating these energy networks with streamlined border procedures, the program seeks to transform regional connectivity into tangible market access for businesses operating across national boundaries.