Strengthening connectivity of countries in South and Central Asia

The project seeks to contribute to the capacities of the stakeholders in the countries of South and Central Asia, especially in the landlocked and least developed countries to strengthen their links with the sub regional and regional transport and trade networks.
To achieve this objective, the project is expected to explore the possibilities of (i) linking these countries to the existing and proposed sub regional road and railway networks along the Asian Highway (AH) and Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) routes and Europe-Asia Transport Linkages (EATL) corridors based on minimal investments; (ii) facilitating the movement of goods along these corridors in a mutually beneficial manner, especially for the benefit of the landlocked and least developed countries (LLDCs and LDCs) in these sub regions; and (iii) facilitating trade and investment through the promotion of paperless trade and the creation of economic corridors at the border crossings that could be of particular interest to LLDCs and countries emerging from conflict, such as Afghanistan. Those countries are seeking to rebuild their economies through improved connectivity with the region’s emerging markets. Enhanced connectivity that could provide economic gains and help in restoring peace and stability.