Development assistance in South and West Asia
Economic recovery in South Asia (Regional Program)
Overview
Trade and infrastructure investment will be critical to economic recovery in South Asia post-COVID-19. The South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity (SARIC) Program, is facilitating transport and energy infrastructure investment in the region that will in turn generate employment and economic activity while increasing productivity. The South Asia Regional Trade Facilitation Program (SARTFP) will support regional trade recovery by addressing issues including constraints that prevent or slow the movement of goods across borders. With the World Bank we are adapting SARTFP to also support displaced workers and urban-rural migrants.
Further details are contained in the South and West Asia Regional COVID-19 Development Response Plan.
Related initiatives
- South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity Program (SARIC)
- South Asia Regional Trade Facilitation Program (SARTFP)
South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity Program
$32 million, 2019-2025 (with option to extend for 2 years)
The South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity Program (SARIC) is focused on improving transport and energy connectivity across the region, thus promoting trade and economic growth. It is supporting infrastructure project preparation and delivery of analytical products (World Bank) and leveraging private sector investment in the region (International Finance Cooperation). A potential training component (decision to proceed expected in the fourth quarter of 2020) would make Australian infrastructure expertise available to policy makers and for the delivery of infrastructure.
| Name of document | Year published |
|---|---|
| SARIC Framework | 2020 |
South Asia Regional Trade Facilitation Program
$30 million, 2014 to 2023
The South Asia Regional Trade Facilitation Program (SARTFP) is a World Bank trust fund that addresses market access and issues across the region through gender-sensitive trade facilitation and infrastructure connectivity investments. The trust fund is currently supporting COVID-19 recovery by focusing on labour market disruptions and providing social protection for displaced workers.