CAREC countries agree on disputed trade agreement issues: what will change
Kyrgyzstan took part in the second round of negotiations on the CAREC trade and investment agreement (CARTIF), which was held on November 6 in Manila. The parties reached a compromise on key and disputed provisions of the draft agreement, the Ministry of Economy of the Kyrgyz Republic reports.
The negotiations took place at the headquarters of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Kyrgyzstan was represented by Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce Sultan Akhmatov. The meeting was also attended by chief negotiators and coordinators of CARTIF from CAREC countries, as well as international experts.
The participants managed to bridge their positions on the disputed provisions of the draft Framework Agreement.
What the CARTIF agreement provides for
The document is aimed at developing trade and attracting investment between the countries of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC).
Among the main areas:
- expanding access to the markets of participating countries;
- economic diversification and the development of regional trade;
- development of digital trade;
- simplification of cross-border logistics;
- creating conditions for attracting investment.
The agreement also provides for the possibility of concluding separate protocols, which countries will be able to join on a voluntary basis.
How negotiations are progressing
The negotiation process for CARTIF officially began on June 3, 2026, in Ulaanbaatar. It was launched as part of the implementation of the Bishkek Ministerial Declaration, which CAREC countries adopted in November 2025.
In September and October, participants held online negotiations, during which they began coordinating the text of the Framework Agreement and priority protocols.
The meeting on November 6 in Manila marked the second round of negotiations and the first in-person round following the virtual stage. The parties continued their work on the disputed provisions of the document.
Earlier, Economist.kg reported that the Asian Development Bank intends to allocate more than $10 billion through 2030 for CAREC regional projects. The funds are planned to be invested in the development of infrastructure, trade, transport, and digital connectivity among the region's countries.
