Economic Cooperation In The Wider Central Asia Region (world Bank Working Papers)

This paper explores ways to unlock the potential for regional development and economic cooperation in the wider Central Asia region. It argues that understanding critical clusters of interrelated issues, and explicitly taking into account geopolitical and political economy considerations, are key in this regard. Regional countries and other stakeholders should focus on a few areas where there are real prospects for success in the short run; a combination of modest #x93;win-win#x94; initiatives and in some cases #x93;bold strokes#x94; that augment and change the distribution of benefits and hence make cooperation more likely to deliver progress This Paper Lays Out The Big Issues That Affect Regional Cooperation And Development In The Wider Central Asia Region, And Analyzes In Greater Detail Areas Where There Appear To Be Good Prospects For Progress In The Short Run. The Paper Develops A Framework For Approaching Regional Cooperation In The Wider Central Asia Region, Based On Identifying And Analyzing Critical Linkages Among Sectors And Explicitly Recognizing Political Obstacles And The Corresponding Need For Political Incentives To Make Progress. Modest, Win-win Initiatives Will Help Build Trust And Momentum For Tackling The More Difficult Areas, But There May Also Be Opportunities For Bold Strokes To Augment And Change The Distribution Of Benefits Sufficiently To Leverage More Substantial Progress.--jacket. 1. Introduction -- 2. Main Challenges And Prospects For Regional Cooperation -- 3. Entry Points And Ways Forward -- App. A. Prospects For Electricity Trade -- App. B. Bringing The Region Closer Together Through Transport Connections -- App. C. Improving Trade And Transit Facilitation. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 79-80). Includes Bibliographical References (p. 79-80).