Asian Development Bank involves Azerbaijan in sustainable tourism project

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved technical assistance under the regional project “Sustainable Tourism and Trade in Services,” aimed at supporting digital transformation and sustainable tourism development in 10 countries, including Azerbaijan.

The project also covers Georgia, China, Pakistan, Mongolia, and the countries of Central Asia.

Funding of $550,000 will be provided through the Technical Assistance Special Fund.

The assistance will focus on removing barriers to tourism growth through digital innovations and sustainability-oriented policies.

This is expected to enhance tourism’s contribution to regional trade and economic diversification. According to the ADB, the objective is to strengthen trade in services in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) region by promoting smart, green and inclusive digital solutions, improving cross-border connectivity, developing sustainable tourism policies and accelerating digital transformation.

The bank noted that green and digital solutions will boost competitiveness and resilience while creating seamless and culturally rich tourism experiences. The initiatives build on previous ADB projects and reflect the countries’ commitment to the CAREC Tourism Strategy and Action Plan.

The ADB said the region has strong cultural, natural and cross-border tourism potential, but development is limited by low digitalisation, weak coordination and inefficient border procedures.

The new project will help address these issues and advance green trade and climate solutions under the CAREC Integrated Trade Agenda 2030.

This project is expected to expand and digitalise smart, sustainable and inclusive trade in services, including tourism, and support institutions responsible for policy development.

Initial completion deadline is December 31, 2030.

Azerbaijan has been an ADB member since 1999. The bank has invested about $5.6 billion in the country, including $4.4 billion in the public sector and $1.2 billion in the private sector, mainly in transport ($1.5 billion) and energy ($1.7 billion).

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Manila, the ADB has 69 shareholders, 50 from the Asia-Pacific region.

By Jeyhun Aghazada