Government officials and stakeholders discussed cross-border connectivity projects in Central Asia and assessment issues vital to their financing prospects at a regional dialogue in Istanbul, Türkiye on 11-12 March, cohosted by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF).

Officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan shared updates on their countries’ transport, energy, and digital infrastructure project priorities. They were guided by a one-year IsDB-AIIB-MCDF strategic mapping exercise that highlighted the importance of these sectors for the region’s connectivity and sustainable development.

Participants went on to exchange insights on the progress of project assessment activities. They also provided feedback to refine a working project pipeline long list flagged as crucial for Central Asia’s connectivity growth and meriting early-harvest consideration among development banks and private sector investors.

“MCDF believes cross-border connectivity projects are more critical now than ever to jumpstart investment as an integral part of the ongoing global economic recovery,” said Frederic Wiltmann, MCDF’s Program Head. “We aim to play a catalytic role in making Central Asia land-linked rather than land-locked through fostering cross-border connectivity infrastructure.”

Participants underscored the significance of connectivity infrastructure in enabling growth and reducing poverty, especially in landlocked regions such as Central Asia. They concluded by reaffirming their commitment to deepening collaboration between governments and potential investors needed to accelerate connectivity project implementation in the region.

An MCDF-funded information-sharing project implemented by AIIB will help to take this work forward through a study that will identify cross-border connectivity investment opportunities in Central Asia, and further dissemination workshops.

Frederic Wiltmann, Program Head, Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance

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