Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation Program as Driver of Regional Energy Projects to Promote Energy Security in the Post-Soviet Central Asia

Abstract

The resource-sharing mechanism, which ensured sufficiency and reliability of energy supplies within the Central Asian energy system (CAES) collapsed soon after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Isolationist energy policies, both in terms of full self-reliance and self-control, without the establishment of self-sustaining independent energy systems, not only threatened security of energy supplies, but also, to a different extent, hampered the socio-economic development in Central Asia. In an attempt to mitigate the negative impact of the new energy policies, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) supported Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) was introduced as one of the key programs to ensure sustainable access of the population and economies to energy. One of the top priority areas has been strengthening regional cooperative dynamics in the energy sector. Primarily focusing on regional cooperation CAREC attempts to solve the problem of uneven distribution and seasonal variation of energy production in the region, assuming that this would lead to better standards of life and economic growth. This article aims to analyze the extent of contribution of CAREC energy initiatives to improve energy security and promote energy–led economic growth in Central Asia through regional energy projects.

Sustainability-Related Implications of Competitive Advantages in Agricultural Value Chains: Evidence from Central Asia—China Trade and Investment

“…While the BRI's major focus in Central Asia is on the improvement of connectivity and facilitation of trade, it also involves investment in agriculture. Among the countries of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is most attracting country of foreign direct investment (70% of total investments in the region) [136] and the main recipient of agricultural investments from China (over $1 billion in 17 projects as of 2018) in processing and sale of rapeseed and sunflower seeds, oil crops, and fresh-frozen fish and fish products, construction of slaughterhouses and poultry farms, and establishment of a cluster in sheep farming and enterprises for deep processing of grain, flax, soybeans, and semi-finished meat products [137] ( Table 9). In Uzbekistan, Tian Jean Nana and Exim Bank of China invested about $29 million to the establishment of a logistics hub in the Bukhara region for the processing of fruit and vegetables and meat and dairy products and exporting them to China.…”