The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $400 million regional financing facility to modernize border crossing points, lower transport and logistics costs, and improve the movement of people and goods across the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) region. The Border Upgrades for Integration, Logistics, and Development (BUILD) facility will support priority investments to modernize border crossing points and strengthen connectivity and competitiveness across the CAREC region.
“Borders are not just checkpoints. These are gateways to create jobs, regional markets, and income opportunities,” said ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Leah Gutierrez. “Through the BUILD Facility, ADB will help CAREC countries create faster, smarter, and more connected borders, cut inefficiencies by bringing economies closer, expanding cross-country markets and economic corridors, thereby improving the lives of millions of people across the region.”
Despite recent progress in trade and transport connectivity, border crossing points remain bottlenecks across CAREC corridors due to growing trade volumes, infrastructure and capacity constraints, and the need for further modernization of border management systems and procedures. These constraints bring economic losses and hardships for transport operators, traders, and passengers and increase the risks of human trafficking, environmental issues, and public health concerns.
BUILD will finance priority border investments across CAREC countries, including upgrades to rail and road border crossing points. The facility will support modern infrastructure, digital systems, high-tech inspection and screening equipment, and more efficient and harmonized border procedures to reduce border crossing times and costs. BUILD will also strengthen institutional capacity, support transport and logistics reforms, and promote greater private sector participation.
BUILD will also create opportunities for private sector investments and strengthen the capacity of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises—which are major players in agriculture, tourism, and transport services—to participate in regional trade.
The CAREC Program is a partnership of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, the People's Republic of China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—working together with development partners to promote sustainable development and economic growth through regional cooperation. ADB hosts the CAREC Secretariat.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.
