Since its launch in 2003, the various phases of the BOMCA Programme have focused on capacity building and institutional development, developing trade corridors and facilitation of trade, improving border management systems and eliminating drug trafficking across the Central Asia region.

The 10th phase of the Programme builds on the achievements of the previous phases as well as introduces new cooperation avenues and expands the geographical scope by including Afghanistan.

The project objective is to enhance security, stability, and sustainable growth in the region, as well as support cross-border cooperation and improve living conditions for people living in border areas of Central Asia and Afghanistan.

The action is implemented by a consortium of the border management agencies of the selected EU MSs and ICMPD, led by the State Border Guard of the Republic of Latvia.

Within the BOMCA 9, the Project has contributed to the institutional development in the transition to more effective and efficient methods of border management in Turkmenistan, more specifically, the development of legal and procedural instruments, capacity building activities, and activities, that increased the efficiency of border checks and procedures facilitating licit trade and transit of goods, and countering various forms of smuggling.

The project Ready4Trade Central Asia contributes to the overall sustainable and inclusive economic development of Central Asia by boosting intra-regional and international trade in the region.

The Ready4Trade Central Asia project is a joint initiative of the European Union and the International Trade Centre. Its aim is to contribute to the overall sustainable and inclusive economic development of Central Asia by boosting intra-regional and international trade in the region. Beneficiaries of the Ready4Trade Central Asia project include governments, small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular women-led enterprises, and Business Support Organizations. The project operates in 5 countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Despite some economic growth in recent years, Central Asian countries remain characterized by a low level of economic diversification and a high dependence on a small number of trading partners. The contribution of SMEs to GDP and employment in Central Asia, as well as their participation in the world economy, remains low.

Increasing access of SMEs to regional and global markets is therefore crucial for diversifying economic activity and creating jobs, and this is where Ready4Trade can help.

To reach its overarching goal, Ready4Trade will focus on 2 key areas: trade facilitation and e-commerce.

Ready4Trade started in January 2020 with a 6-month inception phase and will last until December 2023.