2023 Regional Cooperation and Integration Conference: Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Integration through Economic Corridor Development
5 to 7 September 2023

Tbilisi, Georgia

Economic corridor development (ECD) plays a crucial role in promoting regional cooperation and integration (RCI). A successful ECD will increase connectivity through trade integration and infrastructure development leading to increased regional economic growth. ECD becomes more important for post-COVID-19 recovery and growth, providing holistic solutions for digitalization, services trade, supply chain restructuring, and greening economies.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) initiated ECD into its RCI operations almost a quarter century ago. ADB’s RCI operations initially emphasized improving regional connectivity among the developing member countries (DMCs). Investments in transport infrastructure were soon complemented with “software” or policy and institutional components of RCI (e.g., coordination in border procedures and standards for trade and transport facilitation) to move goods across borders, facilitate access to raw materials, and promote integration into regional and global value chains.

This basic framework, centered on cross-border transport routes and transport and trade facilitation, has defined ECD under ADB-supported subregional cooperation programs (especially in their earlier years) even if conceptually it was recognized that development of economic corridors had a broader scope. The initial utility of this transport-centric approach to ECD has diminished considerably over the 25 years of growth and changes in the Asia-Pacific region. The approach is at risk of not matching up to the demands of member countries for ECD nor to the best practices already in use in Asia-Pacific and beyond. The altered development context calls for a new and broader framework for ECD in ADB’s RCI operations. Subregional cooperation programs in ADB have started moving in the past decade towards a more expanded approach to ECD. Actual implementation of the spatial approach has not been easy, and progress is varied, with little coordination across subregions.

The 2023 RCI Conference provided a venue to (i) present the ECD framework and operational guidelines developed to mainstream ECD operations in ADB projects; (ii) share experience on ECD among ADB-supported subregional cooperation programs; and (iii) explore ways to expand and enhance ECD operations in ADB RCI operations.

The participants of the Conference included: (i) senior officials of ADB’s DMCs responsible for ECD, and (ii) representatives of development partner agencies, and regional cooperation organizations. The Conference conducted in hybrid format, i.e., combination of physical and virtual event.

Program and Learning Materials
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
Photos Photo Gallery: 2023 RCI Conference: Strengthening RCI through Economic Corridor Development Day 1
Photos Photo Gallery: 2023 Regional Cooperation and Integration Conference: Strengthening RCI through Economic Corridor Development Day 2 & 3
Opening Session [VIDEO] Day 1: Opening Session
Opening Session with Welcome remarks delivered by Ms. Eka Guntsadze, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Finance, Georgia and Opening remarks…
Lyaziza Sabyrova, Eka Guntsadze
Session 1: Guidance Note on Economic Corridor Development and its Pilot Use [VIDEO] Day 1 Session 1: Guidance Note on ECD and its Pilot Use
ADB present the report on “Guidance Note on Economic Corridor Development: From Conceptual Framework to Practical Implementation”. The presentation…
Yuebin Zhang, Pradeep Srivastava
Session 1: Guidance Note on Economic Corridor Development and its Pilot Use Economic Corridor Development: From Conceptual Framework to Practical Implementation
Highlight the refined ECD framework and operational guidelines to facilitate Asia’s emerging transition towards a broader approach to ECD
Pradeep Srivastava
Session 1: Guidance Note on Economic Corridor Development and its Pilot Use [Russian] Economic Corridor Development: From Conceptual Framework to Practical Implementation
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs GMS, IMT-GT, and BIMP-EAGA Experience Moderator: Mr. Alfredo Perdiguero, Regional Head, Regional Cooperation and Integration (RCI), Southeast Asia Department (SERD), ADB
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs [VIDEO] Day 1 - Session 2: GMS, IMT-GT and BIMP-EAGA Experience Part 1
Southeast Asia has long been a region with dynamic RCI initiatives that have included ECD as one of their key pillars for enhancing economic…
Alfredo Perdiguero, Antonio Ressano-Garcia, Vudhidej Chamnikij, Janet Lopoz, Paarteeben A/L Subramaniam, Dato’ Ragu Sampasivam, Vanpheng Sengmanothong
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs [VIDEO] Day 1 Session 2: GMS, IMT GT and BIMP EAGA Experience Part 2
Continuation of the Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs: GMS, IMT-GT, and BIMP-EAGA Experience, including…
Alfredo Perdiguero, Antonio Ressano-Garcia, Vudhidej Chamnikij, Janet Lopoz, Paarteeben A/L Subramaniam, Dato’ Ragu ampasivam
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Economic Corridor Development in Southeast Asia: GMS, IMT-GT, and BIMP-EAGA
Southeast Asia has long been a region with dynamic RCI initiatives that have included ECD as one of their key pillars for enhancing economic…
Antonio Ressano-Garcia
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs [Russian] Economic Corridor Development in Southeast Asia: GMS, IMT-GT, and BIMP-EAGA
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Day 1: Session 2 - GMS, IMT-GT, and BIMP-EAGA Experience [THAILAND]
Thailand is part of the 3 ECD cases/experiences from GMS, IMT-GT and BIMP-EAGA will be used to illustrate these important elements of ECD.
Vudhidej Chamnikij
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Philippines: Ms. Janet Lopoz, Executive Director, Undersecretary of Mindanao Development Authority
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Day 1: Session 2 - GMS, IMT-GT, and BIMP-EAGA Experience [IMT-GT/MALAYSIA]
IMT-GT is one of the 3 ECD experiences from GMS, IMT-GT and BIMP-EAGA used to illustrate these important elements of ECD.
Paarteeben A/L Subramaniam
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Day 1: Session 2 - GMS, IMT-GT, and BIMP-EAGA Experience [East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERD)/MALAYSIA]
ECERD is part of the three (3) ECD cases/experiences from GMS, IMT-GT and BIMP-EAGA will be used to illustrate these important elements of ECD.
Dato’ Ragu Sampasivam
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Discussants Thailand: Mr. Vudhidej Chamnikij, Senior Analyst Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Philippines: Ms. Janet Lopoz, Executive Director, Undersecretary of Mindanao Development Authority
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Malaysia: Mr. Paarteeben A/L Subramaniam, Deputy Director II, Regional Development Division, Ministry of Economy
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Lao PDR: Mr. Vanpheng Sengmanothong, Deputy Director General Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Planning and Investment
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Viet Nam: Mr. Viet Ha Nguyen, Official, Foreign Economic Relations Department, Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Mr. Antonio Ressano Garcia, Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist, SERD, ADB
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs CAREC Experience Moderator: Ms. Lyaziza Sabyrova, Regional Head, Regional Cooperation and Integration (RCI), Central and West Asia Department (CWRD), ADB
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Day 1: Session 2 - CAREC Experience [Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor (ABEC)]
The Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor (ABEC) saw transformative regional investment projects being developed and financed.
Dairbek Maksatbekov
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Day 1: Session 2 - CAREC Experience [Shymkent-Tashkent-Khujand Economic Corridor (STKEC) ]
The Shymkent-Tashkent-Khujand Economic Corridor (STKEC) is being initiated with the formulation of a road map for STEKC development. Cross-border…
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Discussants Tajikistan: Mr. Solehzoda Ashurboy, First Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Uzbekistan: Mr. Abdulla Khashimov, Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Kazakhstan: Ms. Bibigul Masserbayeva, Deputy Director of the Department of International Economic Cooperation, Ministry of National Economy
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs ADB: Mr. Kristian Rosbach, Economist (Regional Cooperation), CWRD, ADB
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs ADB: Ms. Dorothea Lozaro, Regional Cooperation Specialist, CWRD, ADB (virtual)
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Open discussion
Day 1 Wrap-Up [VIDEO] Day 1: Session 2 - CAREC Experience and Wrap-up
Recording of the sub- session that aims to share CAREC’s experience on ECD, and discuss lessons, challenges and opportunities in implementing the…
Dairbek Maksatbekov, , Lyaziza Sabyrova, Solehzoda Ashurboy, Abdulla Khashimov, Bibigul Masserbayeva, Kristian Rosbach, Dorothea Lozaro, Chris MacCromac
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs SASEC Experience Moderator: Mr. Thiam Hee Ng, Regional Head, Regional Cooperation and Integration (RCI), South Asia Department (SARD), ADB
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs [VIDEO] Day 2: Session 2 - SASEC Experience
Individual SASEC countries have pursued the development of economic corridors as a major tool for bringing economic transformation and promoting…
Thiam Hee Ng, Soumya Chattopadhyay, Md. Ashfaqul Amin Mukut, Gaki Wangmo, Sumita Dawra, Niushad Saeed, Narayan Dhakal, Udaya Nishantha Mallawaarachchi
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Day 2: Session 2: - Overview: Development of Priority SASEC Corridors
Individual SASEC countries have pursued the development of economic corridors as a major tool for bringing economic transformation and promoting…
Soumya Chattopadhyay
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Bhutan: Ms. Gaki Wangmo, Senior Planning Officer, Department of Macro-fiscal and Development Finance
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Day 2: Session 2 - SASEC Experience [INDIA]
India shares as SASEC member experience in ECD, highlighting challenges and lessons learned.
Sumita Dawra
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Day 2: Session 2 - SASEC Experience [NEPAL]
Nepal shares as SASEC member experience in ECD, highlighting challenges and lessons learned.
Narayan Dhakal
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Day 2: Session 2: SASEC Experience [SRI LANKA]
Sril Lanka shares as SASEC member experience in ECD, highlighting challenges and lessons learned.
Udaya Nishantha Mallawaarachchi
Session 2: Economic Corridor Development in ADB-supported Subregional Programs Open discussion
Session 3: Supporting Economic Corridor Development through Partnerships [VIDEO] Day 2 - Session 3: Supporting ECD through Partnerships
Representatives from development partners will share their experience in supporting ECD in different subregions. Presentations will highlight…
Yuebin Zhang, Yuanjiang Sun, Kadir Basboga, Yann Duval, Shruti Vijayakumar
Session 3: Supporting Economic Corridor Development through Partnerships Moderator: Mr. Yuebin Zhang, Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist, Regional Cooperation and Integration and Trade Division, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, ADB
Session 3: Supporting Economic Corridor Development through Partnerships Supporting Economic Corridor Development through Partnerships
AIIB share their experience in supporting ECD in different subregions. Presentation highlights opportunities and challenges in mainstreaming ECD in…
Yuanjiang Sun
Session 3: Supporting Economic Corridor Development through Partnerships [Russian] Supporting Economic Corridor Development through Partnerships
Session 3: Supporting Economic Corridor Development through Partnerships Economic Corridors as a Way to Promote Regional Integration
Islamic Development Bank share their experience in supporting ECD in different subregions. Presentation highlights opportunities and challenges in…
Kadir Basboga
Session 3: Supporting Economic Corridor Development through Partnerships [Russian] Economic Corridors as a Way to Promote Regional Integration
Session 3: Supporting Economic Corridor Development through Partnerships Trade-related soft infrastructure for sustainable economic corridor development and related ESCAP work
UNESCAP share their experience in supporting ECD in different subregions. Presentation highlights opportunities and challenges in mainstreaming ECD…
Yann Duval
Session 3: Supporting Economic Corridor Development through Partnerships [Russian] Trade-related soft infrastructure for sustainable economic corridor development and related ESCAP work
Session 3: Supporting Economic Corridor Development through Partnerships Maximizing the Development Impact of Economic Corridor Development Drawing
World Bank share their experience in supporting ECD in different subregions. Presentations will highlight opportunities and challenges in…
Shruti Vijayakumar
Session 3: Supporting Economic Corridor Development through Partnerships [Russian] Maximizing the Development Impact of Economic Corridor Development Drawing
Session 4: Measuring the Benefit of Economic Corridor Development [VIDEO] Day 2: Session 4 - Measuring the Benefit of EDC Part 1
Tracking progress and offering standardized measures of RCI in Asian economies has been critical to inform regional policies. Measuring the benefits…
Rolando Avendano, Maria Rowena Cham, John Weiss, Kijin Kim
Session 4: Measuring the Benefit of Economic Corridor Development [VIDEO] Day 2: Session 4 - Measuring the Benefit of ECD Part 2 and Day 2 Wrap-up
The continuation of Session 4: Measuring the Benefit of Economic Corridor Development with Open Discussion and Wrap-up of Day 2.
Rolando Avendano, Maria Rowena Cham, John Weiss, Kijin Kim
Session 4: Measuring the Benefit of Economic Corridor Development Economic Analysis: Regional Cooperation Projects
ADB has developed the Guidelines on the Economic Analysis of RCI projects to measure the benefits and costs of RCI projects, either quantitatively or…
Maria Rowena Cham, John Weiss
Session 4: Measuring the Benefit of Economic Corridor Development Measuring progress and impact of RCI:Trends and links to economic corridor development
Measuring the benefits of RCI projects is important for developing member countries to reach consensus on collective action. ADB has developed the…
Rolando Avendano
Session 4: Measuring the Benefit of Economic Corridor Development Discussant: Mr. Kijin Kim, Senior Economist, Rgional Cooperation and Integration Division, ERDI, ADB
Wrap Up and Closing Session Open networking and/or bilateral meetings
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
Visit to the Tsiteli Khidi (Red Bridge), Border Crossing Point between Georgia and Azerbaijan
Visit to the Tsiteli Khidi (Red Bridge), Border Crossing Point between Georgia and Azerbaijan Tour of the Border Crossing Point (BCP)
Visit to the Tsiteli Khidi (Red Bridge), Border Crossing Point between Georgia and Azerbaijan Photo Gallery: 2023 Regional Cooperation and Integration Conference: Strengthening RCI through Economic Corridor Development Day 2 & 3

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Event Coordinator/s

  • Aileen Pangilinan

ADB Organizer/s

  • Regional Cooperation and Integration, and Trade Division
  • Central and West Asia Department
  • South Asia Department
  • Southeast Asia Department
  • Economic Research and Development Impact Department

Topics

  • Regional Cooperation and Integration
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Industry and Trade
  • Knowledge Management