Message of the ECO Secretary General
It is a great privilege to have assumed the position
of the Secretary General of the Economic
Cooperation Organization (ECO). I would avail this
opportunity to underscore my commitment to using
the resources of this Organization to promote the
objectives of regional cooperation and to work with
Member States to address the challenges being
faced by this region. I am confident that the
collaboration and guidance of the Member States
will continue to steer this Organization towards
success and the realization of our collective goals.
This year has a special significance as it marks the
20th anniversary of the expansion of the
Organization to its current membership. Over the
past 20 years, the ECO and its ten Member States
have been collaborating to accelerate the pace of
regional development through our common
endeavors. Besides shared cultural and historic
affinities, we have been able to use the existing
infrastructural and business links to further fortify the
resolve to transfer our hopes and aspirations into a
tangible reality. ECO has successfully embarked on
several projects in key sectors of its cooperation
including trade, energy, agriculture, transportation
and drug control. During the last two decades, ECO
has developed into a thriving regional organization
and its enhancing international stature is a testimony
to this fact.
However, let us not remain content with what has
been achieved during all these years. Despite
immense endowments of natural and mineral
resources, development of trade and other
economic interactions and the presence of a
vibrant human capital, the opportunities for more
systematic regional cooperation and development
have not been substantially exploited, and the task
before us remains challenging. On the occasion of
the 20th anniversary of the enlargement of this
Organization, let us reaffirm the commitment and
resolve to prioritize and exploit the opportunities
existing within this neighborhood for a more
enhanced regional cooperation leading towards
socio-economic development, prosperity and wellbeing the people of this region so critically deserve.
I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to
my predecessors, who effectively applied their
talents and experience for the achievement of this
Organization’s goals. I am fortunate to have arrived
at a time of important developments that should
enhance our ability to respond to the socioeconomic needs of the region.
Dr. Shamil Aleskerov
Secretary General
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ECO at a Glance
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.INTRODUCTION TO THE ECO
5
6
1.1Goals and Objectives
2.FUCNTIONS OF THE PRNCIPAL ORGANS
7
2.1Council of Ministers (COM)
7
2.2Regional Planning Council (RPC)
9
2.3Council of Permanent Representatives (CPR)
10
2.4The Secretariat
11
2.4.1Directorate of Trade and Investment
13
2.4.2Directorate of Transport and Communications
14
2.4.3Directorate of Agriculture, Industry and Tourism
16
2.4.4Directorate of Human Resources and Sustainable Development
(HRSD)
16
2.4.5Directorate of Energy, Minerals and Environment
20
2.4.6Directorate of Project, Economic Research and Statistics
26
3.MAJOR AGREEMENTS/MOUS SIGNED BY THE ECO
MEMBER STATES
37
4.KEY MILESTONES OF THE ECO DURING RECENT YEARS 43
4.1Trade and Investment
43
4.2Transport and Communications
45
4.3Energy, Minerals and Environment
46
4.4Agriculture, Industry and Tourism
48
4.5Human Resources and Sustainable Development
49
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4.6Projects Economic Research and Statistics
50
4.7Drugs and Organized Crime Unit
51
4.8Reconstruction of Afghanistan
52
4.9International Relations
53
5.ECO MEMBER PROFILES
55
5.1Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
55
5.2Republic of Azerbaijan
58
5.3Islamic Republic of Iran
61
5.4Republic of Kazakhstan
64
5.5Kyrgyz Republic
67
5.6Islamic Republic of Pakistan
70
5.7Republic of Tajikistan
73
5.8Republic of Turkey
76
5.9Turkmenistan
80
5.10Republic of Uzbekistan
83
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ECO at a Glance
1. INTRODUCTION TO THE ECO
Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), is an
inter-governmental regional organization which was
originally established as Regional Cooperation for
Development (RCD) in 1964 by Iran, Pakistan and
Turkey for promoting sustainable socio-economic
development of the Member States. It was renamed
ECO in 1985 and in 1992 the organization was
expanded to include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan.
The ECO region is full of bright trading prospects.
Despite its young age, ECO has developed into a
thriving regional organization. Its international
stature is growing. Nevertheless, the organization
faces un-daunting challenges with respect to
realization of its objectives and goals. Most
importantly, the region is lacking in appropriate
infrastructure and institutions which the Organization
is seeking to develop, on priority basis, to make full
use of the available resources in the region.
Over the past 20 years the member states have
been collaborating to accelerate the pace of
regional development through their common
endeavors. Besides shared cultural and historic
affinities, they have been able to use the existing
infrastructural and business links to further fortify their
ECO at a Glance
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resolve to transfer their hopes and aspirations into a
tangible reality. ECO has embarked on several
projects in priority sectors of its cooperation
including energy, agriculture, trade, transportation
and drug control.
1.1
Goals and Objectives
ECO has the following principal aims:

Sustainable economic development of its
Member States which has to be achieved
through the progressive removal of trade
barriers and the promotion of intraregional
trade. The Organization aspires to create a
greater role of the ECO region in the growth
of world trade and gradual integration of
the Member States’ economies with the
global economy;

Development
of
transport
and
communications infrastructure linking the
Member States with each other and the
outside world;

Economic liberalization and privatization;

Mobilization and utilization of ECO region's
material resources;

Effective use of the agricultural
industrial potential of the region;
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and
ECO at a Glance

Regional cooperation for drug abuse
control, ecological and environmental
protection and strengthening of historical
and cultural ties among the peoples of the
ECO region; and

Mutually
beneficial
cooperation
with
regional and international organizations.
2. FUCNTIONS OF THE PRNCIPAL ORGANS
2.1
Council of Ministers (COM)
The Council of Ministers (COM) is the highest policy
and decision making body of ECO and is composed
of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Member
States. It meets at least once a year usually prior to
the starting of the ECO fiscal year (The COM is held
in the Member States on rotation basis). The Council
of Ministers can also propose the convening of
meetings of other Ministers for the formulation and
recommendation of plans and projects in their
respective fields. The Council of Ministers has the
following responsibilities:
 Approving policies, strategies,
programmes of the ECO;
and
work
 Appointing the Secretary General and his
Deputies;
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 Reviewing and adopting the reports of the
Regional Planning Council, Council of
Permanent Representatives and Specialized
Agencies;
 Reviewing the
Institutions;
reports
of
 Establishing such subsidiary
Committees as appropriate;
the
or
Regional
ad-hoc
 Approving annual budget and audit reports
of the Organization;
 Deciding on the scale of assessment of
contributions by Member States to the budget
of the Organization
 Preparing the draft agenda and other
arrangements for the Summit Meetings;
 Reporting to the Summit on all matters related
to the implementation of ECO programmes
and projects; and
 Determining and reviewing as and when
necessary, rules and regulations regarding all
fiscal, administrative and organizational
matters, provisions of financial, and staff
regulations of the Secretariat.
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ECO at a Glance
2.2
Regional Planning Council (RPC)
The Regional Planning Council (RPC) is composed of
the Heads of the Planning Organization or the
equivalent Ministry of the Member States. It meets at
least once a year prior to the annual meeting of the
Council of Ministers under the Chairpersonship of the
representative of the Member state holding
Chairpersonship of the Council of Ministers.
It
evolves basic strategies/policies and plans in
accordance with the objectives and principles of
regional cooperation laid down in the Treaty of
Izmir. It also formulates as well as policy guidelines
and directives of the Council of Ministers.
To
accomplish this task, the RPC performs the following
tools:
 Institutionalizing itself at the national levels for
regular coordination among designated focal
points in each area of activity;
 Biennially reviewing ECO's priorities laid down
in the Economic Cooperation Strategy;
 Annually
reviewing
the
progress
of
implementation
of
ECO's
approved
programmes of action and projects;
 Critically reviewing and evaluating the
economic work of the Secretariat and
formulating the recommendations to the
COM;
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 Preparing ECO's annual calendar of events for
submission to the Council of Ministers;
 Proposing when necessary, the establishment
of ad-hoc technical committees, to the
Council of Ministers;
 Preparing the annual economic report of the
ECO region; and
 Submitting annual report to the Council of
Ministers through the Secretary General
2.3 Council of Permanent Representatives
(CPR)
The Council of Permanent Representatives (CPR) is
composed of the Ambassadors of the Member
states, accredited as representatives to the ECO. It
meets as often as necessary under the
chairpersonship of the representative of the
Member State holding the chairpersonship of the
Council of Ministers and carries out the following
functions:
 It is responsible on behalf of and in the name
of the Council of Ministers to implement its
decisions and carries out its policies;
 Report to the Council of Ministers on all policy
related issues and matters referred to it by the
Council;
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ECO at a Glance
 Analyses the budget and audit reports of the
Organization and recommends them to the
COM for approval;
 Advises and recommends to the Regional
Planning Council on the economic functions
of the Secretariat and other technical matters
referred to it by the RPC;
 Reviews all the reports of the Secretariat;
 Prepares the draft agenda and expedites
other arrangements for the RPC and COM
meetings; and
 Monitors and follows up action on
decisions of the RPC.
2.4
the
The Secretariat
In pursuance of Article-IX of the Treaty of Izmir, the
Secretariat initiates, coordinates and monitors the
implementation of the ECO activities and brings all
meetings of the Organization in line with the agreed
documents and directives of the governing organs
of ECO. Accordingly, the Secretariat undertakes
the following duties:
 To prepare plans, programmes and projects
as envisaged by ECO's decision-making
organs;
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 To serve as the permanent channel of
communication and coordination among
Governments of Members States in all areas
related to ECO's agreed programmes and
activities through all means available to it. In
this context, it also provides practical
information to the Member States on
procedural matters and all other fields, as
may be needed;
 To
serve
as
the
custodian
of
documentation and archives of ECO;
all
 To assist all permanent and ad-hoc organs of
ECO in the performance of their work;
 To service technically and administratively all
meetings and activities of the organization
and help the preparation of reports and
documents;
 To act as the information agency for ECO in
all related areas within as well as outside the
region;
 To communicate, cooperate and interact
with relevant regional and international
organizations and agencies in agreed areas
in accordance with the policy documents
and directives of ECO's decision making
organs;
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ECO at a Glance
 To engage in activities and contacts in
support of the member governments in order
to facilitate financing of agreed projects and
activities through international financial
organizations, investors and donors;
 To monitor the activities and maintain contact
with regional institutions and specialized
agencies and serve as a bridge between
them and the Council of Ministers;
 To prepare and submit an Annual Report to
the Council of Ministers on the overall
activities of the organization;
 To carry out such other functions and duties as
may be assigned to it by the Council of
Ministers and the Council of Permanent
Representatives;
 To establish and operate a documentation
and publication system in line with
international standards; and
 To maintain effective communications with
the Permanent Missions/Embassies and
National Focal Points of the Member States
through a modern and speedy network.
2.4.1
Directorate of Trade and Investment
One of the major objectives of ECO as a regional
grouping is promotion of regional and global trade
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based on the principle of free trade and to
effectively meet the challenges of globalization.
In pursuance of this objective, a number of projects
and programmes have been embarked upon
during the past years. These projects and
programmes can broadly be categorized as under:



Trade liberalization activities;
Trade facilitation projects; and
Cooperation
with
international
agencies.
These programmes lay down the necessary
regulatory framework in a region-wide context
which facilitates and allows the regional business
communities to exploit the emerging opportunities.
2.4.2
Directorate
Communications
of
Transport
and
The ECO attaches great significance to transport
and communications. The Treaty of Izmir sets the
goals of transport cooperation as to ‘accelerate
development of transport and communications
infrastructures linking the Member States with each
other and with the outside world’. To this end, the
ECO pursues various activities enabling trucks to
travel across the region in accordance with
international standards; expanding and integrating
national railway networks to facilitate transit by rail;
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ECO at a Glance
expanding air connections and cooperation in civil
aviation; expanding port facilities to handle the
seaborne trade of the region; and facilitating transit
through improving border crossing between the
Member States.
The ECO Transit Transport Framework Agreement
(TTFA) is the basic document dealing with the sector
of transport and communications. The Transit
Transport Coordination Council and its technical
committees
are
set
up
to
coordinate
implementation
of
the
TTFA.
Several
rail
infrastructure projects are being coordinated by
ECO. Notable among these are the Kyrgyz
Republic-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Iran,
KazakhstanTurkmenistan-Iran and Qazvin-Rasht-Astara projects.
The container trains on Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul
and Istanbul-Almaty routes have been established.
Regular run of the Bandar Abbas-Almaty container
train is being launched. Two road corridors
(Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul
and
the
Kyrgyz
Republic-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Iran) have also been
established.
The Organization pursues several mechanisms to
support interconnectivity. The Online Money Order
system (a common medium for financial postal
services), the ECO White Card Scheme (for
expanding motor vehicle third party liability
insurance), and the Unified Visa for Drivers are
examples of such practical initiatives.
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2.4.3
Directorate of Agriculture, Industry and
Tourism
Agriculture is an important sector in all of the ECO
Member States and contributes substantially to their
gross domestic products (GDPs).
The Member
States, therefore, attach priority to the sustainable
development of this sector.
In view of the
increasing need for producing more to meet the
food requirements of the people of the region, the
Member States have been mobilizing all available
resources.
2.4.4
Directorate of Human Resources and
Sustainable Development (HRSD)
Taking into account the opportunities and
challenges created by the process of globalization
which result in rapid socio-political, economic and
technological developments in the world; and the
prospects in the decades ahead which need to be
addressed adequately through a common and
collective approach, the issue of Human Resource
Development is considered as having immense
importance and is receiving ever increasing
attention of the Organization.
The 15th COM meeting adopted the ‘ECO Vision
2015’ as a basic reference document of the
organization with special focus on human resource
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ECO at a Glance
development, poverty alleviation and other related
matters.
In order to fulfill the above-mentioned objectives,
the Council of Permanent Representatives (CPR)
recommended, inter alia, the establishment of a
new directorate by the name of ‘Directorate of
Human Resources and Sustainable Development’ to
be in charge of human resource development,
social development, drug control affairs, health and
poverty alleviation, etc. The recommendations were
approved by the 15th COM held in Astana in
October 01, 2005. As a result, the HRSD Directorate
was established on January 01, 2006.
Main Fields of Activities
The main issues handled by this Directorate are as
follow:
Human Resource Development and
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
 Health
 Natural Disaster Management

Drug and Organized Crime Coordination Unit
Production, trafficking and use of illicit drugs pose
serious threats to public health, security and
economy of the region. Consequently, the issue has
gained
immense
importance
within
the
Organization’s framework of activities. As the
production and use of illicit drugs continue to imperil
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the region’s socio-economic progress, the ECO
Member States have taken steps to strengthen their
respective
national
drug
control
systems.
Considering the criticality of the problem, the drugs
issue was included as a major policy concern in the
‘Istanbul Declaration’ adopted by the ECO Council
of Ministers in its Special Meeting held on July 5-7,
1993. In this context, a Plan of Action on Drug
Control was approved by the ECO Council of
Ministers on May 11, 1996. Additionally, ECO signed
several Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with
international and regional organizations, such as
UNODC and
Colombo Plan, to
promote
cooperation in all areas of drug control. In
accordance with the ECO Plan of Action on Drug
Control, the ‘Drug Control Coordination Unit (DCCU)’
was established at the ECO Secretariat in 1999.
Based on a two-phased project, it has been funded
by the European Commission along with the
UNODC, and aims to enhance regional cooperation
and coordination among the ECO Member States
to control production, trafficking and use of illicit
drugs.
As of January 2006, the DCCU was fully integrated
into the structure of ECO under the Directorate of
Human Resource and Sustainable Development
(HRSD). As per the decisions made at the highest
level, the DCCU was mandated to work on the
issues of drugs, terrorism and trans-national
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ECO at a Glance
organized crimes including human trafficking, illegal
migration, money laundering, weapons and
ammunition smuggling. Consequently, during the
18th ECO Council of Ministers Meeting, which was
held in Tehran on March 9, 2009, the mandate of
the DCCU was expanded and the unit was
renamed as ‘Drug and Organized Crime
Coordination Unit (DOCCU)’. This unit functions
directly under the supervision of Deputy Secretary
General (ADMN./EME/HRSD/DOCCU) and the
Secretary General.
The DOCCU has actively been involved in the
implementation of the ECO Plan of Action on Drug
Control Matters, the Joint Regional Strategy on
Combating Drugs, Terrorism and Trans-National
Organized Crimes and the Plan of Action on
Combating Trans-national Organized Crime, which
have been approved at the ECO Interior Ministers
Meetings held in Ashgabat (2008) and Istanbul
(2010).
The EU-funded project on fight against trafficking
to/from Afghanistan is being implemented in
collaboration with the ECO Member States and a
consortium comprising Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), ECO-DOCCU,
Interpol, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
(UNODC) and Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), Germany.
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Under the project, the European Commission is
providing 9.5 Million Euros for the provision of
technical and operational support required by the
ECO Member States to fight drug trafficking in the
region and beyond. The DOCCU is in the process of
establishing ECO Police (ECOPOL) for assisting
policing and law enforcement requirements of the
Member States and enhancing cooperation against
transnational crime through intelligence sharing,
harmonization of policies and operations. Work is
also underway for the establishment of ECO
Regional Center for Cooperation of Anti-Corruption
Agencies and Ombudsmen (RCCACO).
Detailed information about the activities of DOCCU
can
be
obtained
from
its
website
(www.ecodoccu.org).
2.4.5
Directorate of Energy, Minerals and
Environment
The ECO region is located strategically and is
endowed with rich energy resources and mineral
deposits. The region is estimated to contain a third
of the global energy resources. The Caspian Sea
region has risen to considerable prominence in
global affairs due to the presence of untapped oil
and natural gas resources. Kazakhstan has the
Caspian Sea region's largest recoverable crude oil
reserves and significant natural gas reserves.
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ECO at a Glance
Turkmenistan ranks among the top 12 countries in
terms of natural gas reserves. Azerbaijan is an
exporter of oil and natural gas. Uzbekistan is the
world's eighth largest natural gas producer, and is
also a major oil producer. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan
possess a great hydroelectric power capacity.
Although Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey lack
significant domestic energy resources, their
geographic locations make the countries important
energy transit corridors.
The ten ECO member states comprise Central,
Western and Southern Asia. Together, these
countries cover a vast region that is home to both
rapidly growing energy demand centers and to a
diverse mix of energy endowments. However, while
these characteristics are complementary at
regional level, several individual countries in the
region face either potential energy shortages or
surpluses. This presents significant opportunities for
mutual high value economic gains through
international energy trade within the region as well
as externally with partners in neighboring countries
providing impetus to further regional integration.
Cooperation in energy is among the three main
priority areas of economic cooperation within the
framework of ECO activities. There exists a significant
scope for increasing energy trade within the region
and with the neighboring countries which will be
ECO at a Glance
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beneficial to all the countries involved. The broad
objective of energy cooperation in ECO region is to
formulate policies and pursue activities leading to
enhanced economic cooperation in the region.
The
first
ECO
Ministerial
Meeting
on
Energy/Petroleum was held at Islamabad, Pakistan,
in 2000. The meeting adopted the Plan of Action on
Energy/Petroleum Cooperation in the ECO Region
(2001-2005). The specific objectives of this Plan of
Action for Energy Cooperation are:
 To coordinate, expedite and enhance the
implementation of existing strategic energy
cooperation programmes;
 To develop and promote ways and means to
expand the sustainable development and
efficient use of indigenous energy resources
(fossil and non-fossil) for use in transportation
and power generation;
 To strengthen existing regional institutions
related
to
energy
activities
through
coordinated sharing of existing facilities and
to form a more effective overall ECO energy
training, research and development network
for the Member States;
 To establish an ECO policy framework for
formulation of energy related polices and to
encourage regular exchange of information
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ECO at a Glance
on the formulation and implementation of the
same;
 To synchronize activities of the various ECO
energy
fora
towards
predetermined
objectives; and
 To promote sustainable and self-supporting
cooperation within the ECO to address the
issues of common concern.
The
second
ECO
Ministerial
Meeting
on
Energy/Petroleum was held at Dushanbe, Tajikistan,
in October, 2010. The meeting adopted the new
Plan of Action on Energy/Petroleum Cooperation in
the ECO Region (2011-2015). The new Plan of
Action for Energy/Petroleum Cooperation for 20112015 aims to establish an ECO Energy/Petroleum
market.
The implementation of the ECO Plan of Action for
Energy/Petroleum
Cooperation
for
2011-2015
requires a new approach to regional energy
cooperation which can help in the establishment of
a regional energy framework.
Taking
proper
international
practice
into
consideration, this approach can have the potential
to develop a new strategy to build up energy
solidarity among Member States. Such a policy on
regional energy cooperation may be designed on
the following basis:
ECO at a Glance
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The protection of foreign investments
and protection against key noncommercial risks;
 Non-discriminatory conditions for trade
in energy materials, products and
energy-related equipment based on
international rules, and provisions to
ensure reliable cross-border energy
transit flows through pipelines, grids and
other means of transportation;
 The resolution of disputes between
participating states, and in the case of
investments, between investors and
host states;
 The promotion of energy efficiency and
attempts to minimize the environmental
impact of energy production and use.

Along with the implementation of the Plans of
Action (2001-2010 and 2011-2015) several meetings,
workshops and symposia were organized on the
issues of energy conservation and efficiency,
regional energy trade, renewable sources of
energy, development of hydropower plants and
management of petroleum refineries and products.
In particular, since 1997, the ECO countries have
increasingly been cooperating in the areas of:
 Electric Power – Seven Specialized Experts
Task Group (SETG) Meetings on power;
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ECO at a Glance
 Energy (Power) Trade – The ECO Workshop on
Regional Power Trade Strategy (with the
financial assistance of IDB) (2002) and two
ECO-World Bank Workshops on Regional
Energy Trade in the ECO region (2005 and
2008);
 Energy Conservation and Efficiency – The
Workshop on Energy Conservation and
Efficiency in the ECO countries, an ad–hoc
committee meeting of experts to prepare the
outline and methodology for energy
conservation in the ECO countries (2001) and
ten International practical training courses on
energy efficiency and conservation (annually,
since 2002);
 New and Renewable Sources of Energy - Two
workshops (2004, 2010) and one Expert Group
Meeting (2011);
 ECO Oil and Gas Pipeline Routes - Four High
Level Experts Task Group (HLETG) Meetings
(1998-2005) and one Workshop (2005);
 Petroleum Refineries and Products – Three
Seminars and Workshops;
 Energy Resources Development and their
Environmental Impact Assessment - Two
Expert Meetings (1994, 2004) and a Training
Workshop (2001);
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 Development of Hydropower Plants - Regional
Workshop on Development of Hydropower
Plants ( 2009);
 Coal – Workshop on Clean Coal Technology,
2011; and
 Joint
ECO-OPEC
Workshop
‘International Petroleum Market’.
2.4.6
Directorate of
Research and Statistics
Project,
on
the
Economic
Making
comprehensive
analyses
for
timely
assessment of current and future developments and
conducting
specific
research
studies
for
identification of the integrated perspectives among
the Member Countries are crucial for effective
regional economic cooperation.
The Directorate of Economic Research and Statistics
in the ECO Secretariat was established to take
necessary steps for the coordination and
improvement of the joint activities in the field of
economic research, new technologies pertaining to
the
exchange,
collection,
analysis
and
dissemination of statistical data and information.
There are two major objectives of the Directorate.
Firstly, to establish cooperative links among the
statistical and economic research institutions of the
Member States for obtaining the data pertaining to
the respective countries and to conduct the joint
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ECO at a Glance
economic research studies on priority areas
identified for regional cooperation. Moreover, the
Directorate also serves as a reliable source of data
and research studies for the ECO and its Member
States for an informed and effective policy
formulation and decision making.
Coordination and International Relations
Through its outward-looking approach and already
existing cooperative linkages with major regional
and international organizations, including those
within the UN system, the ECO is fast acquiring
international prominence and stature.
Ever since ECO acquired observer status at the UN in
1993, it regularly participates in the annual General
Assembly Sessions in that capacity. Every year a
resolution on ECO and UN cooperation is passed in
the General Assembly which has important bearing
upon ECO’s relations with all UN agencies. The UN
General Assembly in its Resolution No. 57/38 invited
various
specialized
agencies
and
other
organizations and programmes of the United
Nations system and relevant international financial
institutions to join in their efforts towards realization of
the goals and objectives of the ECO. The UN
General Assembly in its Resolution also welcomed
the efforts of the ECO with regard to consolidating
its ties with the UN system and relevant international
ECO at a Glance
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and regional organizations, towards the furtherance
of its objectives and the promotion of cooperation
in addressing international economic, social, cultural
and humanitarian problems.
ECO is actively involved with several international
and regional organizations, which form an important
aspect of the Organization’s activities. The ECO has
in place Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with
a number of agencies including: UNDP, UNDCP,
UNESCAP, UNIDO, UNFPA, FAO, UNESCO, UNICEF,
UNECE, UNCTAD, ITC, OIC, IDB, OSJD, ICARDA, WCO
and Colombo Plan. These agencies actively
collaborate with the ECO and provide technical
and financial assistance for projects in ECO’s priority
fields identified for the region.
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ECO at a Glance
Regional Institutions
A number of regional institutions have been
established for achieving the goal of regional
economic cooperation. These include: ECO
Chamber of Commerce, ECO Trade and
Development Bank, ECO Reinsurance Company,
ECO College of Insurance, ECO Consultancy and
Engineering Company.
ECO Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The ECO Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(ECO-CCI) was established on June 10, 1993. Its
objectives include enhancement of economic
cooperation and relations in trade, industry,
agriculture, tourism, contracting, engineering and
banking sectors as well as to realize joint investments
among the Member States. National Chambers of
Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan,
Tajikistan and Turkey are member of the ECO-CCI.
ECO Trade and Development Bank
The ECO Trade and Development Bank (ECO-TDB)
was established on August 3, 2005 with its
headquarters located in Istanbul. The Bank
successfully started its operations in 2008. The
ECO at a Glance
Page 29/85
representative offices of the Bank in Tehran and
Karachi are fully functional.
The primary objective of the Bank is to provide
financial resources for projects and programmes in
member countries. The Bank offers a range of
medium-to-long term banking services such as
project finance, corporate finance, trade finance
and loans to support small and medium-sized
enterprises
directly
or
through
financial
intermediaries to private and state owned entities.
ECO Reinsurance Company
In March 1995, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey agreed to
establish the ECO Reinsurance Company. The
Company aims at supplementing the existing
reinsurance services in the region, promoting the
growth of national underwriting and retention
capacities, minimizing the outflow of foreign
exchange from the region and supporting
economic development in the region.
ECO Consultancy and Engineering Company
With the efforts of the governments of all the ECO
Member States, a central resource pool was
created in the shape of ECO Consultancy and
Engineering Company (Pvt.) Ltd. (ECO-CEC) with an
aim to assist the development projects sponsored by
ECO Member States or by its Trade and
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ECO at a Glance
Development Bank. The founding states of this
institution are Iran, Pakistan and Turkey, which hold
an equal share in ECO-CEC with Turkey being
represented by two companies and Iran and
Pakistan, by one each.
The Iranian and Turkish Companies specialize mainly
in oil and gas pipelines, refineries, petrochemical
and industrial engineering. The Pakistani partner
specializes in other fields of development
engineering, including communications, power,
urban
development,
public
health,
telecommunications, water resources development
and agriculture.
The ECO-CEC provides its expertise in the broad
range of consultancy operations, starting from
conception, project planning and appraisal,
through pre-feasibility, feasibility and financial
studies, investigation and exploration, site selection
to engineering design, material and equipment
specifications, construction supervision, contract
management, quality control and preparation of
technical manuals for the operation and
maintenance of the projects.
ECO College of Insurance
The ECO College of Insurance, based in Tehran, is
functioning since 1992. It has the approval of the
ECO Council of Ministers and its establishment is
ECO at a Glance
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supported by the ECO Insurance Management
Board and the Governing Body. The college is a
state-owned and non-profit institution of higher
education. The medium of education in the college
is English and will primarily accommodate students
from ECO member countries.
Specialized Agencies
ECO Cultural Institute (ECI)
The ECO Cultural Institute (ECI) is one of the core
specialized agencies of ECO established in 1995 in
accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of
Izmir. This agency is based in Tehran. The ECI is the
successor of the RCD Cultural Institute that was
established during the RCD era and remained
active for 17 years (1966-1983). The overarching
goal of the Institute is to promote cultural affinities as
well as spiritual and fraternal ties that bind the
people of the Member States. The Charter of the
Institute, the governing document, was opened for
signatures on the occasion of the third ECO Summit
held in Islamabad in March, 1995 where it was
signed by all the Member States except Kyrgyzstan
and Uzbekistan. In the subsequent years, four
Member States namely, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan
and Tajikistan ratified the Charter.
Since the RPC held in May, 2011, the ECI has held
several cultural activities including the 3rd ECO
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ECO at a Glance
Calligraphy Exhibition (Tehran-June, 2011), Festival of
Cultural and Artistic Works by Afghan immigrant
artists (Tehran-June, 2011), Woodwork Exhibition
(Tehran-July, 2011), 4th ECO Calligraphy Exhibition
(Istanbul-August, 2011), 1st ECO Handicrafts
Exhibition (Bojnourd-September, 2011), Exhibition of
Tajik handicraft (Tehran-September, 2011), 5th ECO
Calligraphy Exhibition (Lahore-October, 2011),
Kyrgyz Contemporary Paintings Exhibition (TehranDecember,
2011),
Exhibition
on
Pakistan’s
Contemporary Arts (Tehran-Feb, 2012) and Joint
Photo Exhibition with Cooperation Council of Turkic
Speaking Countries (CCTS) (Tehran-March, 2012).
Additionally, in keeping with the past practice, the
ECI also attended the 24th Tehran International Book
Fair held in May, 2011. Moreover, the ECI
inaugurated a Diplomatic Art Gallery at its
Headquarters in 2011. The Art Gallery has since
hosted different exhibitions. Apart from these
activities, the Institute published a number of
magazines and other publications. The Institute has
also identified several activities for the coming years
including exhibitions both within and without the
ECO region. In the upcoming years, the Institute
plans to inaugurate its new Amphitheatre and a
Gallery.
ECO at a Glance
Page 33/85
ECO Science Foundation (ECO-SF)
The ECO Science Foundations (ECOSF) is another
core specialized-agency of ECO established in
Islamabad, with the aim to function as a reservoir of
highly skilled scientific and technical manpower as
well as to strengthen scientific and research
institutions in the ECO region. Its Charter was signed
in Islamabad in March, 1995 on the occasion of the
3rd ECO Summit. While all the ten Member States are
signatory to the Charter, only four, namely, Iran,
Pakistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan have so far
ratified it.
The Foundation was rendered functional in
December, 2011. The first Board of Trustees meeting
of the Foundation was hosted by Pakistan in
December, 2011 which formally inaugurated the
Foundation. The BoT successfully finalized such key
issues as the Basic Documents (Rules of Procedure,
Staff Regulations), approved the Working Formula
for mandatory contributions by the ratifying Member
States along with the budget for upcoming year,
endorsed the Work Programme (2012) and
appointed on provisional basis the first President of
the Foundation. The Foundation has since started its
activities in accordance with the Work Programme
endorsed by the BoT. In line with the Islamabad
Communiqué issued by the BoT, the Foundation has
also commenced preparations for a regional
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ECO at a Glance
Science and Technology Conference to be held in
Sep, 2012 in Pakistan.
ECO Educational Institute (ECO-EI)
The Charter of the ECO Educational Institute (ECOEI)
was finalized at the first Expert Group Meeting (April,
1997-Ankara) and later approved by the ECO COM
at its 8th Meeting (May 1998-Almaty) along with the
Basic Documents (Rules of Procedure, Staff
Regulations and Financial Regulations). The Charter
of the Institute that was signed by eight Member
States in May, 1998, has so far been ratified by four
Member States namely: Iran, the Kyrgyz Republic,
Tajikistan and Turkey.
As per the Charter, the
Educational Institute was established to give impetus
to realization of ECO’s objectives outlined in the
Treaty of Izmir as well as to promote common
welfare of the peoples of the region through
ensuring better education and training.
In light of the decisions reached by the 21st RPC,
efforts were intensified to operationalize the Institute.
Consequently, the Educational Institute was
rendered functional as a core specialized-agency
of ECO on April 3, 2012 in Ankara on the occasion of
its first Board of Trustees meeting, which was hosted
by Turkey. The Board of Trustees meeting, which was
attended
by
the
Ministers/Deputy
Ministers/Representatives of the relevant ministries of
ECO at a Glance
Page 35/85
the Member States wrapped-up all the pending
issues related to the Institute, including appointment
of the first President, review and endorsement of the
Basic Documents (Rules of Procedure, Staff
Regulations and Financial Regulations), approval of
the Work Programme (2012), finalization of formula
for mandatory contributions by the ratifying Member
States and the Budget (2012). The Institute will soon
begin its activities in accordance with the Work
Programme approved by the Education Ministers
earliest.
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ECO at a Glance
3. MAJOR AGREEMENTS/MOUS SIGNED BY
THE ECO MEMBER STATES
Treaty of Izmir
Signed:
Izmir, 14th September 1996
Signatories:
All member states
Parties:
8 (all Signatories except
Afghanistan and Uzbekistan).
Entry into force:
September 24, 2002*
Depository:
The Government of the I. R.
of Iran
Agreement on Legal Status of the ECO National
Representatives and International Staff
Signed:
Izmir, 14th September 1996
Signatories:
All ECO member states
Parties:
4 ECO member states
(Turkey,
Tajikistan,
Kazakhstan and Iran).
Entry into force:
not yet
Depository:
The Government of the I. R.
of IRAN
Signed:
Izmir, 14th September 1996
Transit Trade Agreement (TTA)
Signed:
Islamabad, 15 March 1995
Signatories:
8 (All member states except
Afghanistan and Uzbekistan)
Parties:
8 (all Signatories)
ECO at a Glance
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Entry into force:
Depository:
TTA is no longer applicable
The ECO Secretariat
Agreement on Simplification of Visa Procedures for
Businessmen of ECO Member States
Signed:
Islamabad, 15 March 1995
Signatories:
7 member states (all ECO
member
states
except
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan)
Parties:
5 states (Afghanistan, Iran,
Kazakhstan, Pakistan and
Turkey)
Entry into force:
year 2002
Depository:
The ECO Secretariat
Articles of Agreement of the Trade and
Development Bank (TDB)
Signed:
Islamabad, 15 March 1995
Signatories:
Iran, Pakistan and Turkey
Parties:
Three signatory states
Entry into force:
August 3, 2005
Depository:
Principal Office of the Bank
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ECO at a Glance
The Charter of ECO Cultural Institute
Signed:
Islamabad, 15 March 1995
Signatories:
8 Member States except
Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
Parties:
4 states (Afghanistan, Iran,
Pakistan and Tajikistan)
Entry into force:
The document entered into
force immediately after
signing.
Depository:
The Government of the I. R.
of IRAN
The Charter of ECO Science Foundation
Signed:
Islamabad, 15 March 1995
Signatories:
All ECO member states
Parties:
5 (Azerbaijan, Iran, Pakistan,
Tajikistan and Turkmenistan).
Entry into force:
Legally has entered into
force
Depository:
the Government of the I. R.
of Pakistan
Agreement between I.R. of Iran and ECO Relating
the Rights, Privileges and Immunities of the ECO
Secretariat
Signed:
Ashgabat, 14th May 1996
Signatories:
Iran and ECO
Entry into force:
1997
ECO at a Glance
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Depository:
of IRAN
The Government of the I. R.
The Charter of ECO Educational Institute
Signed:
Almaty, 9th May 1998
Signatories:
All ECO Member States
except Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan
Parties:
5 states (Iran, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyz, Tajikistan and Turkey)
Entry into force:
2012
Depository:
The Government of the R.
of Turkey
Transit Transport Framework Agreement (TTFA):
Signed:
Almaty, 9th May 1998
Signatories:
9 (All member states except
Uzbekistan)
Parties:
8 states (all ECO member
states except Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan)
Entry into force:
19th May 2006
Depository:
ECO Secretariat
Framework Agreement on ECO Trade Cooperation
Signed:
Tehran, 6th March 2000
Signatories:
8 states (all ECO member
states except Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan)
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ECO at a Glance
Parties (Ratified):
Entry into force:
Depository:
6 states (Azerbaijan, Iran,
Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyz,
Pakistan and Turkey).
The document entered into
force as per Article 14 after
ratification by five member
states
ECO Secretariat
ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA):
Signed:
Islamabad, 17th July
Signatories:
5
Member
States
(Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan,
Tajikistan and Turkey)
Parties (Ratified):
5 states (All signatory States)
Entry into force:
24th April, 2008
Depository:
Secretary General ECO
Agreement on Promotion and Protection of
Investment (APPI)
Signed:
Istanbul, 7 July 2005
Signatories:
Afghanistan,
Azerbaijan,
Iran and Turkey
Parties:
None
Entry into force:
Not yet
Depository:
ECO Secretary General
Agreement on the Establishment and Operation of
ECO Smuggling and Customs Offences Data Bank:
Signed:
Istanbul, 7 July 2005
ECO at a Glance
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Signatories:
6
member
states
(Afghanistan, Azerbaijan,
Iran, Pakistan,
Tajikistan and Turkey)
Parties:
None
Entry into force:
Not yet
Depository:
ECO Secretariat
MoU on ECO Reinsurance Company
Signed:
Islamabad, 15th March
1995
Signatories and Parties: 3 states Iran, Pakistan and
Turkey
Entry into force:
Immediately after signing
the MoU
MoU on Cooperation against Smuggling and
Customs Frauds
Signed:
Almaty, 9th May 1998
Signatories and Parties: All 10 ECO member states
Entry into force
immediately after signing
the MoU
MoU on the establishment of Regional Center for Risk
Management of Natural Disasters (ECO-RCRM)
Signed:
MashhadIran,
4th
September, 2007
Signatories and Parties: All 10 ECO member states
except Turkey and Uzbekistan
Entry into force:
Immediately after signing
the MoU
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ECO at a Glance
4. KEY MILESTONES OF THE ECO DURING
RECENT YEARS
4.1
Trade and Investment
ECO Legal Frameworks
 ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA) has entered
into force and is at the final stages of
implementation, negotiations for ECO Free
Trade Area will commence after the
implementation of ECOTA
 The Agreement on Establishment and
Operations of ECO Smuggling and Customs
Offences Data Bank is expected to be ratified
by the Member States and will be established
soon
 Agreement on Promotion and Protection of
Investment has been finalized and will be
implemented after ratification by four
Member States
 Agreement on Simplification Visa procedures
for the Businessmen and Transit Drivers of ECO
Member States has been finalized and is to be
ratified by Member States for implementation
 Agreement
on
Mutual
Administrative
Assistance in Customs Matters has been
ECO at a Glance
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prepared and is to be signed during the next
ECO Council of Heads of Customs
Administration Meeting
Institutional Mechanisms:
 ECO Trade and Development Bank has been
established and operationalized in Istanbul
with a capital of US$ 465 million. Its
membership and activities are expanding
 ECO Chamber of Commerce and Industry has
been re-activated
 ECO Reinsurance Company is to be
established soon with a capital of US$ 30
Million
 ECO Business Forums have been established
and institutionalized
 Trade Promotion Organizations (TPOs) Forum
has been established
 ECO-PIDE Study
Patterns in the
published
Project on the Trading
ECO Region has been
Ongoing Projects
 ECO-UNIDO Project on Trade Capacity
Building, 1st and 2nd Phases completed during
2007-2009. The 3rd Phase is expected to be
launched in 2012
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ECO at a Glance
 ECO Trade and Investment Network Web
Portal has been established
 The 1st Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on
paperless
trade
has
approved
the
establishment of ECO Single Window (ESW)
4.2
Transport and Communications
 Transit Trade Framework Agreement has been
operationalized
 The ECO Container Train on IslamabadTehran-Istanbul route had started its regular
operation since August 2010
 With the coordination of the Secretariat, the
construction of the railway line on KazakhstanTurkmenistan-Iran route has been expedited.
 The ‘Feasibility Study for Railway Route from
China along Tajikistan and Afghanistan to
Zahedan/Chabahar in Iran through HeratDelaram-Zaranj and through Iran and Turkey
to Europe’ has been initiated under the
umbrella of the ECO
 The ECO/IRU Silk Road Caravan, comprising of
trucks from eight member states, successfully
completed an 11,500 km journey across
Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan,
Tajikistan,
Azerbaijan
and
Turkey
in
September-October 2010
ECO at a Glance
Page 45/85
 The ECO unified Visa Sticker for Drivers and the
Crew has been prepared. Procedures for
issuance of the unified visa are being finalized
 The ECO Railway Transit routes map has been
published. The ECO Road Transit routes map
has been finalized
 MoUs between ECO and CIT, and OTIF,
focusing on mutual cooperation and
technical assistance to implement railway
related provisions of the TTFA, have been
signed
 An online system is being finalized for money
transfer through the financial postal services
of the member states
4.3
Energy, Minerals and Environment
 The New Plan of Action on Energy/Petroleum
Cooperation in the ECO Region (2011-2015)
which will serve as the basic guideline for
cooperation among the ECO Member States
in the fields of Energy/Petroleum for the next
five years was adopted in the 2nd ECO
Ministerial Meeting on Energy/Petroleum
(Dushanbe, 2010)
 Capacity Building Workshops and Decision
Making Meetings were held on the following
topics:
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ECO at a Glance
o International Petroleum Market
o Petroleum Refining
o Renewable Sources of Energy
o Clean Coal Technologies
o High Level Experts Group on Energy
o Development of Hydropower Plants
o Environment and Biodiversity
 Feasibility study on Establishing Databanks of
ECO Geosciences Database has been
completed
 Project on Mineral Distribution Map of the ECO
Region has been completed
 The Plan of Action on Environmental
Cooperation and Global Warming (20112015) as well as a Project Profile for
implementation of the mentioned Plan of
Action were adopted in the 4th ECO Ministerial
Meeting on Environment (Tehran, Iran, 2011)
 The ECO Institute of Environmental Sciences
and Technology (ECO-IEST) was established in
February, 2011 on project basis in Karaj,
Tehran, Iran
 Feasibility study on Development and
Harmonization of Environmental Standards in
ECO Region is under implementation
ECO at a Glance
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4.4
Agriculture, Industry and Tourism
 The ECO Regional Programme for Food
Security (ECO-RPFS) was prepared and is
under implementation in collaboration with
FAO, ICARDA. A Regional Coordination
Center (RCC) for the RPFS will be established
soon
 The 1st Phase of ECO-FAO Technical
Cooperation
Programme
(TCP)
on
Strengthening Seed Supply was successfully
implemented and ECO Seed Association
(ECOSA) was established in Ankara, Turkey in
early 2009
 ECO - FAO-SEC on Seed Sector Development
in the ECO Region was approved and will be
implemented
 ECO Regional Center for Risk Management of
Natural Disasters (ECO-RCRM) was established
on September 3-5, 2007 in Mashad, Iran
 ECO-NANO website was launched in May
2009 as a new area of cooperation
 Studies for establishment of ECO Veterinary
Commission (ECO-VECO) and ECO Center for
efficient Utilization of Water in the Field of
Agriculture
and
ECO
Meteorological
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ECO at a Glance
Calibration Center (ECO MCC) has come to a
final stage
 Capacity programmes were organized in the
fields of privatization and SMEs. ECO
Privatization Website was launched in 2010
 The Statute of the ECO Regional Institute for
Standardization,
Conformity
Assessment,
Accreditation and Metrology (RISCAM) was
finalized and signed by some Member States
 ECO Tourist Guidebook was published and
ECO Tourism Promotion Fund was established
 ECO initiated cooperation in youth issues to
enhance interaction among the region’s
youth
4.5 Human Resources
Development
and
Sustainable
 Capacity building has been provided in the
following fields:
o Blood Transfusion
o Blood Safety Network
o Voluntary Blood Donor Recruitment
o Quality Assurance in Blood Transfusion
o Pharmacovigilance
o Drug Quality Control
o Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of
Osteoporosis
ECO at a Glance
Page 49/85
 Establishment of ECO Blood Safety Network
and ECO Drug (Pharmaceutical) Regulatory
Network was kicked -start in 2010
 Analytical regional report on Health Related
Millennium Development Goals i.e. Goal 4:
Reduce Child Mortality, Goal 5: Improve
Maternal Health and Goal 6: Combating
HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases was
completed
 An academic course on Master of Public
Health (MPH) for empowering health
authorities of ECO Member States is under
consideration to be organized in Iran
4.6 Projects
Statistics
Economic
Research
and
 A number of training courses on project
management were conducted
 ECO Statistical Network (ECOSTAT) was
approved and the structure of the database
was established
 First Training Workshop for ECO Member States
on Utilizing the ECOSTAT was held in Tehran in
2010
 ECO Annual Economic
prepared regularly
Page 50/85
Reports
were
ECO at a Glance
 ECO Economic Journals have been published
 Roster
of
ECO
Leading
Economists/Statisticians was prepared
Expert
 ECO Roster of Consulting and Engineering
Companies/Training Institutions was prepared
 ECO-Prospects and Achievements over the
period 1996-2007 have been completed
Ongoing Projects
 ECO-FAO technical cooperation project on
Statistical Capacity Building in ECO member
states with Afghanistan to be a Pilot Country
 ECO-UNFPA research project on linkages
between population dynamics and energy
consumption patterns in the ECO region
 ESCAP Regional Programme on Economics
Statistics in preparation of which ECO
participated as a sub-region
4.7
Drugs and Organized Crime Unit
 Several capacity building activities and high
level decision making meetings were held on
the issues of combating drugs, terrorism,
organized crimes, illegal migration and
human trafficking
ECO at a Glance
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 A comprehensive project ‘Fight Against
Trafficking to/from Afghanistan with the ECO
Member States’ has been initiated recently
with E.U. funding of 9.5. Million Euros. One
component under this project is the
establishment of secured network among
relevant departments of member countries
4.8
Reconstruction of Afghanistan
 ECO Special Fund for Reconstruction of
Afghanistan was established to which a total
amount of more than US$ 11 million was
pledged
 80% of total construction works of two projects
namely Construction of Deh Mazang Public
Park and Rehabilitation of Kabul Zoo (US $ 1.3
million) and Block A of the Ministry of Rural
Rehabilitation Training and Research Centre
(MRRD) in Kabul (US$ 600,000) were
completed
 A Protocol was signed between ECO and
Turkish
International
Cooperation
and
Development Agency (TIKA) in 2010. This aims
at facilitating implementation of more
projects within the scope of the remaining
pledge/contribution of the Republic of Turkey
(US$ 4.6 million) to the ECO Special Fund for
Reconstruction of Afghanistan
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ECO at a Glance
4.9
International Relations
 The Organization has consistently pursued
closer cooperation with the United Nations
system, regional peers, other international
organizations and relevant non-ECO States.
ECO’s standing and image at the regional
and international fora have grown steadily
 ECO enjoys observer status with the United
Nations, World Trade Organization, the
Organization of Islamic Conference, and the
Islamic Development Bank
 ECO has signed more than 30 Memoranda of
Understanding with a host of regional and
international organizations including the UN
Specialized Agencies, Funds and Programmes
 Among others UNESCAP, UNICEF, FAO, UNIDO,
UNCTAD, UNEP, ICARDA, UNISDR, UNDP, UNOHRLLS, UNECE, European Commission,
ASEAN, CICA, Colombo Plan, SCO, OSJD,
WCO, UPU, IOM, IRU are ECO’s partners in
various activities and projects in the region
 A comprehensive Plan of Action has been
developed to further expand ECO’s external
relations.
It
outlines
certain
measures/recommendations to deepen and
ECO at a Glance
Page 53/85
promote constructive
relevant partners
cooperation
with
 Contacts Groups of ambassadors of ECO
member states to be established soon at
important regional and international fora to
enhance the image and standing of the
Organization and mobilize technical and
financial support for ECO’s programmes
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ECO at a Glance
5. ECO MEMBER PROFILES
5.1
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

National Day: 19th August (Independence
Day 1919)

Capital: Kabul

Area: 652,090 sq. km

Bordering countries: China (76 km), Iran (936
km), Pakistan (2,430 km), Tajikistan (1,206
km), Turkmenistan (744) km, Uzbekistan (137
km).

Coastline: Landlocked

Climate: Arid to semiarid; cold winters and
hot summers.

Natural resources: Natural gas, petroleum,
coal, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore,
salt, precious and semi-precious stones.

Land use:
ECO at a Glance
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o Arable land:
12.13%

o Meadows and pastures:
46%
o Forest and woodland:
3%
o Other:
39%
Agricultural products: Wheat, corn, rice,
barley, cotton, tobacco, fruits, nuts, karakul
pelts; wool, mutton
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ECO at a Glance
Selected Key Statistical Indicators of the Islamic
Republic of Afghanistan
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Indicator
Population (000)
Population Density (Population per Km2)
Male
(Year)
Female
(Year)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Total Fertility Rate
Share of Urban Population (%)
Literacy Rate (%)
Total Labor Force (000)
GDP at Current Price (Mln US$)
GDP per Capita (US$)
GDP Annual Growth Rate (%)
Agriculture
Industry
Services
Gross Fixed Capital Formation/GDP (%)
Foreign Direct Investment (Mln US$)
Exchange Rate (National Currency/US$)
Imports
Exports
Total Foreign Trade (Mln US$)
Total
Balance
Imports
ECO Trade/Total Foreign Trade (%) Exports
Total
Production of Crude Oil (Mln Ton)
Production of Natural Gas Mln M3)
Production of Electricity (Mln Kwh)
GDP by Sectors (%)
2009
25,494
39.1
2010
25,986
39.8
2011
26,488
40.6
48.0
48.0
…
48.0
48.0
…
…
21.6
…
8,720
12,871
505
17.2
31.1
21.2
44.3
17.4
…
49.16
3,336
403
3,739
-2,933
56.2
64.8
57.1
…
142
937
…
21.9
…
9,060
16,343
629
3.2
27.8
20.6
48.0
17.5
…
45.70
5,154
388
5,542
-4,766
50.7
66.7
51.8
…
142
936
…
22.2
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
6,390
376
6,766
-6,014
51.9
59.0
52.3
…
161
547
Source: Central Statistics Organization (CSO) of the Islamic
Republic of Afghanistan
ECO at a Glance
Page 57/85
5.2
Republic of Azerbaijan

National day: 28 May

Capital: Baku

Area: 86,600 sq. km,

Land area: 82,658 sq. km

Land boundaries: 2,657 km

Bordering countries: Armenia (1007 km),
Georgia (480 km), Iran (765 km), (Russia 390
km), (Turkey 15 km)

Coastline: Azerbaijan borders the Caspian
Sea (800 km)

Climate: Dry, Semi-arid steppe

Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas,
iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina

Land use:
o Arable land:
21.8%
o Permanent crops:
Page 58/85
2.6%
ECO at a Glance
o Meadows and pastures:
30.7%
o Forest and woodland:
12.0%
o Other:
32.9%
o Irrigated land:
14244 sq km

Industries: Petroleum and natural gas,
petroleum
products,
chemicals
and
petrochemicals, oilfield equipment, mineral
substances, metallurgy, pulp and paper,
wood and its products, steel, food stuffs
and tobacco, cement, textiles

Transportation:
o Railways: 2,079 km in common
carrier service; does not include
industrial lines
o Highways:18,986 km
o Ports: Baku (Baki)

Agriculture Products: Cotton, grain, sugar
beet, rice, grapes, fruits, vegetables, tea,
tobacco; cattle, sheep, poultry, goats
ECO at a Glance
Page 59/85
Selected Key Statistical Indicators of the Republic of
Azerbaijan
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Indicator
Population (000)
Population Density (Population per Km2)
Male
(Year)
Female
(Year)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Total Fertility Rate
Share of Urban Population (%)
Literacy Rate (%)
Total Labor Force (000)
GDP at Current Price (Mln US$)
GDP per Capita (US$)
GDP Annual Growth Rate (%)
Agriculture
Industry
Services
Gross Fixed Capital Formation/GDP (%)
Foreign Direct Investment (Mln US$)
Exchange Rate (National Currency/US$)
Imports
Exports
Total Foreign Trade (Mln US$)
Total
Balance
Imports
ECO Trade/Total Foreign Trade (%) Exports
Total
Production of Crude Oil (Mln Ton)
Production of Natural Gas Mln M3)
Production of Electricity (Mln Kwh)
GDP by Sectors (%)
2009
8,947
103.3
2010
9,054
104.6
2011
9,173
105.9
70.9
70.9
71.2
76.1
76.2
76.5
2.30
53.1
99.8
4,532
44,297
5,018
42.7
6.1
49.1
44.8
18.9
3,037
0.80
6,123
14,701
20,825
8,578
17.9
3.1
7.4
50,416
23,598
18,869
2.30
53.0
99.8
4,587
52,909
5,922
-14.6
5.5
51.7
42.8
18.1
3,615
0.80
6,601
21,360
27,961
14,759
18.4
3.2
6.8
50,838
26,312
18,710
2.40
53.0
99.8
4,626
63,403
7,003
15.5
5.5
53.9
40.6
19.9
4,294
0.79
9,756
26,571
36,327
16,815
17.9
3.2
7.2
45,626
25,728
20,294
Source: State Statistical Committee of the Republic of
Azerbaijan
Page 60/85
ECO at a Glance
5.3
Islamic Republic of Iran

National Day: 11th of February (Islamic
Revolution of Iran -1979)

Capital: Tehran

Area: 1,648,196 sq km

Land boundaries: 4,137 km

Sea boundaries: 2,700 km (Including the
Caspian Sea)

River boundaries: 1,918 km

Bordering
countries:
Afghanistan,
Azerbaijan (Nakhichevan), Armenia, Iraq,
Pakistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan

Climate: Mostly arid or semi-arid, temperate
along Caspian coast and mountainous
temperate along west and north-west.

Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas,
coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead,
manganese, zinc, sulfur

Land use (1998):
ECO at a Glance
Page 61/85
o Arable land:
300,000 sq. Km
18.2%
o Meadows
and
900,000 sq. Km
pastures:
54.6%
o Forest and woodland:
120,000 sq. Km
7.3%
o Other:
258,000 sq. Km
15.7%
o Irrigated land:
70,000 sq. Km
4.2%

Agricultural products: Wheat, rice, barley,
potato, grains, sugar-beet, cotton, fresh &
dried fruits, dates, pistachio, fruits, nuts,
poultry, meat, dairy products, wool; caviar,
flowers and medicinal plants

Industries: Oil and gas, steel, aluminum,
copper, electric and electronic equipment,
cement and other building materials,
metallurgy, home appliances, iron, textile,
rugs and carpets, tapestry, miniature,
ceramic, food processing (particularly
sugar
refining
and
vegetable
oil
production), petrochemicals, and car
manufacturing and assemblies

Transportation:
o Railways: 6,700 km (2000)
o Highways: 80,000 km
Page 62/85
ECO at a Glance
Selected Key Statistical Indicators of the Islamic
Republic of Iran
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Indicator
Population (000)
Population Density (Population per Km2)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Male
(Year)
Female
(Year)
Total Fertility Rate
Share of Urban Population (%)
Literacy Rate (%)
Total Labor Force (000)
GDP at Current Price (Mln US$)
GDP per Capita (US$)
GDP Annual Growth Rate (%)
Agriculture
Industry
Services
Gross Fixed Capital Formation/GDP (%)
Foreign Direct Investment (Mln US$)
Exchange Rate (National Currency/US$)
Imports
Exports
Total Foreign Trade (Mln US$)
Total
Balance
Imports
ECO Trade/Total Foreign Trade (%) Exports
Total
Production of Crude Oil (Mln Ton)
Production of Natural Gas Mln M3)
Production of Electricity (Mln Kwh)
GDP by Sectors (%)
2009
73,201
44.9
2010
74,339
45.6
2011
75,150
46.1
72.2
72.6
72.1
74.2
74.6
74.6
…
68.8
83.2
23,841
394,809
5,393
4.3
8.9
37.2
53.1
5.5
…
9,979
55,287
88,032
143,319
32,745
6.2
3.6
4.6
331,216
142,230
214,531
…
68.9
83.7
23,875
453,454
6,100
6.5
8.6
38.1
52.1
4.5
…
10,601
64,450
112,728
177,178
48,278
7.6
3.7
5.1
335,959
148,338
232,955
…
71.4
84.2
23,388
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
13,111
61,808
144,835
206,643
83,027
6.6
4.0
4.7
…
…
…
Source: Statistical Centre of Iran (SCI)
ECO at a Glance
Page 63/85
5.4
Republic of Kazakhstan

National Day: 25th of October (Republic
Day - 1990)

Capital: Astana (since June 1998)

Area: 2,724,900 sq. km

Land boundaries: 12,012 km

Bordering countries: China (1,533 km),
Kyrgyzstan (1,051 km), Russia (6,846 km),
Turkmenistan (379 km), Uzbekistan (2,203
km)

Coast line: Kazakhstan borders the Aral Sea
(1,015 km) and the Caspian Sea (1,894 km)

Climate: Continental, very cold winters and
hot summers, arid and semi-arid

Natural resources: Major deposits of
petroleum, coal, iron ore, manganese,
chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper,
molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold,
uranium

Land use:
Page 64/85
ECO at a Glance
o Arable land:
15%
o Meadows and pastures:
57%
o Forest and woodland:
4%
o Other:
24%
o Irrigated land:
23,080 sq Km

Agricultural products: Grain, mostly spring
wheat, cotton; wool, meat
ECO at a Glance
Page 65/85
Selected Key Statistical Indicators of the
Republic of Kazakhstan
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Indicator
Population (000)
Population Density (Population per Km2)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Male
(Year)
Female
(Year)
Total Fertility Rate
Share of Urban Population (%)
Literacy Rate (%)
Total Labor Force (000)
GDP at Current Price (Mln US$)
GDP per Capita (US$)
GDP Annual Growth Rate (%)
Agriculture
Industry
Services
Gross Fixed Capital Formation/GDP (%)
Foreign Direct Investment (Mln US$)
Exchange Rate (National Currency/US$)
Imports
Exports
Total Foreign Trade (Mln US$)
Total
Balance
Imports
ECO Trade/Total Foreign Trade (%) Exports
Total
Production of Crude Oil (Mln Ton)
Production of Natural Gas Mln M3)
Production of Electricity (Mln Kwh)
GDP by Sectors (%)
2009
16,094
5.9
2010
16,323
6.0
2011
…
…
63.6
63.5
…
73.6
73.3
…
2.65
54.2
…
8,458
115,306
7,241
1.2
6.2
30.5
63.3
27.8
18,429
147.50
28,409
43,196
71,604
14,787
…
…
…
64,354
35,942
78,729
2.59
54.4
…
8,611
146,913
9,004
7.0
4.4
32.8
62.8
…
…
147.35
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
Source: Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Statistics
Page 66/85
ECO at a Glance
5.5
Kyrgyz Republic

National Day: 31st of August

Capital: Bishkek

Area: 198,500 sq. km

Land boundaries: 3,878 km

Bordering countries: China (858 km),
Kazakhstan (1,051 km), Tajikistan (870 km),
Uzbekistan (1,099 km)

Coast line: None

Climate: Dry continental to polar in high
Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest
(Fergana Valley); temperate in northern
foothill zone

Natural resources: Abundant hydro-electric
potential; significant deposits of gold and
rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal,
oil and natural gas; other deposits of
nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and
zinc.
ECO at a Glance
Page 67/85

Land use:
o Arable land:
7.137%
o Meadows and pastures:
45%
o Other:
48%
o Irrigated land:
10,666 sq Km

Agricultural products: Wool, tobacco,
cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits
and berries, sheep, goats, cattle, grain,
gold

Industries: Small machinery, textiles, food
processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs,
refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold,
rare earth metals.

Transportation:
o Railways:
417.2 Km
o Highways: 28,400 Km
o Ports:
Balykchy and Karakol
(situated on the Issykkul Lake)
Page 68/85
ECO at a Glance
Selected Key Statistical Indicators of the Kyrgyz
Republic
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Indicator
Population (000)
Population Density (Population per Km2)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Male
(Year)
Female
(Year)
Total Fertility Rate
Share of Urban Population (%)
Literacy Rate (%)
Total Labor Force (000)
GDP at Current Price (Mln US$)
GDP per Capita (US$)
GDP Annual Growth Rate (%)
Agriculture
Industry
Services
Gross Fixed Capital Formation/GDP (%)
Foreign Direct Investment (Mln US$)
Exchange Rate (National Currency/US$)
Imports
Exports
Total Foreign Trade (Mln US$)
Total
Balance
Imports
ECO Trade/Total Foreign Trade (%) Exports
Total
Production of Crude Oil (Mln Ton)
Production of Natural Gas Mln M3)
Production of Electricity (Mln Kwh)
GDP by Sectors (%)
2009
5,383
26.9
2010
5,448
27.3
2011
5,515
27.6
65.2
65.3
65.7
73.2
73.5
73.7
2.88
34.1
99.2
2,420
4,666
910
2.9
18.8
23.6
46.6
28.2
661
42.89
3,040
1,673
4,713
-1,367
17.8
23.5
19.8
77
15
11,083
3.06
34.0
99.2
2,456
4,778
920
-1.4
17.5
26.2
46.1
27.7
446
45.96
3,223
1,756
4,979
-1,467
18.2
17.2
17.8
83
23
12,063
3.09
34.0
99.2
…
5,944
1,131
…
18.0
25.6
44.9
…
…
46.14
4,261
2,246
6,508
-2,015
15.0
24.3
18.2
90
27
15,223
Source: National Statistical Committe of Kyrgyz Republic
ECO at a Glance
Page 69/85
5.6
Islamic Republic of Pakistan

National Day: 23rd March

Independence: Day14 August 1947

Capital: Islamabad

Area: 796,095 sq km

Land boundaries: 7,266 km

Bordering countries: Afghanistan (2,430 km),
China (580 km), India (2,240 km), Iran (909
km)

Coast line:1,046 km

Landscape: The landscape of Pakistan
includes lofty mountain ranges in the north
(the Karakoram and the Himalayas),
dissected plateaus and rich alluvial plains
of the Punjab. Then follows the desolate
barrenness of Balochistan and the hot dry
deserts of Sindh blending into miles of
golden beaches of the Makran coast. The
variety of the topography is matched by
Page 70/85
ECO at a Glance
the variance in climatic condition and
fauna and flora

Climate: Mostly hot, dry desert; temperate
in northwest; arctic in north

Natural resources: Large area of cultivable
Land, extensive natural gas reserves, coal,
iron ore, copper, salt and limestone

Land use:
o Arable land:
30.18 thousand hectares
o Meadows and pastures:
6%
o Forest and woodland:
4%
o Other:
67%
o Irrigated land:
198,700 sq km

Agricultural products: Cotton, wheat, rice,
sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; condiments,
milk, beef, mutton, eggs, grains, oil seeds,
pulses, maize, barley, tobacco, poultry,
goats, beef, sheep, cattle, mutton

Industries: Textiles, food
processing,
cement, fertilizer, steel, sugar, clothing,
paper products, shrimp, leather garments,
beverages, construction materials, electric
goods, ship building

Railways: 7,791 km; Highways: 236,041km;

Ports: Karachi, Muhammad bin Qasim,
Gwadar deep sea Port
ECO at a Glance
Page 71/85
Selected Key Statistical Indicators of the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Indicator
Population (000)
Population Density (Population per Km2)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Male
(Year)
Female
(Year)
Total Fertility Rate
Share of Urban Population (%)
Literacy Rate (%)
Total Labor Force (000)
GDP at Current Price (Mln US$)
GDP per Capita (US$)
GDP Annual Growth Rate (%)
Agriculture
Industry
Services
Gross Fixed Capital Formation/GDP (%)
Foreign Direct Investment (Mln US$)
Exchange Rate (National Currency/US$)
Imports
Exports
Total Foreign Trade (Mln US$)
Total
Balance
Imports
ECO Trade/Total Foreign Trade (%) Exports
Total
Production of Crude Oil (Mln Ton)
Production of Natural Gas Mln M3)
Production of Electricity (Mln Kwh)
GDP by Sectors (%)
2009
168,180
207.5
2010
173,500
218.0
2011
177,100
222.0
…
64.0
…
…
68.0
…
2.80
43.9
57.4
54,180
153,910
940
1.2
21.9
25.0
53.1
18.3
3,720
78.50
34,822
17,688
52,510
-17,134
3.4
12.5
6.4
3,224
41,153
91,843
3.60
44.7
57.7
56,900
176,655
975
3.1
21.3
26.0
52.6
14.0
2,201
83.80
34,710
19,290
54,000
-15,420
3.8
11.9
6.7
3,180
41,778
95,608
3.50
…
58.0
57,800
210,911
1,140
3.0
21.2
25.5
53.4
11.5
1,635
86
40,412
24,805
65,217
-15,607
2.5
13.8
6.8
3,225
41,460
94,653
Source: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS)
Page 72/85
ECO at a Glance
5.7
Republic of Tajikistan

National Day: 9th of September

Capital: Dushanbe

Area: 143,100 sq. km

Coastline: None

Climate: Mid-altitude continental, hot
summers, mild winters, semi-arid to polar in
Pamir Mountains

Natural resources: Significant hydro-power
potential,
some petroleum,
uranium,
mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony,
tungsten.

Land use:
o Arable land:
861.3 thousand hectares
o Meadows and pastures:
23%
o Mountains:
71%
o Irrigated land:
6,940 sq Km

Agricultural products: Cotton, grain, fruits,
grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats
ECO at a Glance
Page 73/85

Industries :
Aluminum,
zinc,
lead,
chemicals
and
fertilizers,
cement,
vegetable oil, metal-cutting, machine tools,
refrigerators and freezers
Page 74/85
ECO at a Glance
Selected Key Statistical Indicators of the Republic of
Tajikistan
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Indicator
Population (000)
Population Density (Population per Km2)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Male
(Year)
Female
(Year)
Total Fertility Rate
Share of Urban Population (%)
Literacy Rate (%)
Total Labor Force (000)
GDP at Current Price (Mln US$)
GDP per Capita (US$)
GDP Annual Growth Rate (%)
Agriculture
Industry
Services
Gross Fixed Capital Formation/GDP (%)
Foreign Direct Investment (Mln US$)
Exchange Rate (National Currency/US$)
Imports
Exports
Total Foreign Trade (Mln US$)
Total
Balance
Imports
ECO Trade/Total Foreign Trade (%) Exports
Total
Production of Crude Oil (Mln Ton)
Production of Natural Gas Mln M3)
Production of Electricity (Mln Kwh)
GDP by Sectors (%)
2009
7,452
52.1
2010
7,573
53.0
2011
…
…
70.5
…
…
75.3
…
…
3.60
26.4
…
2,097
4,978
668
10.7
18.6
14.3
57.2
24.8
89
4.14
3,975
1,664
5,638
-2,311
17.7
19.6
18.2
26
16
16,117
3.60
26.4
99.9
2,280
5,642
745
12.9
18.7
12.6
58.1
23.8
231
4.38
1,438
1,085
2,523
-353
50.0
50.0
50.0
27
14
16,435
…
…
…
…
6,523
…
9.4
23.8
12.3
52.1
…
…
4.61
…
…
…
…
…
…
28
15
16,238
Source: Agency on Statistics under the President of the
Republic of Tajikistan
ECO at a Glance
Page 75/85
5.8
Republic of Turkey

National Day: 29th of October

Capital: Ankara

Area: 774,815 sq. km

Land boundaries: 2,875 km

Bordering countries: Georgia (276 km),
Armenia (325 km), Azerbaijan
(18 km),
Bulgaria (269 km), Greece (203 km), Iran
(529 km), Iraq (378 km), Syria (877 km)

Coast line: 8,333 km (including islands)

Climate: Turkey is in the temperate zone
and its topography is characterized by
mountain ranges that run parallel to its sea
coast. Thus the climate differs from region
to region. Coastal areas enjoy a milder
climate; the inland Anatolian plateau
experiences extremes of hot summers and
cold winters with limited rainfall.
Page 76/85
ECO at a Glance

Natural resources: Hard coal, lignite, crude
petroleum, iron, chrome, copper, boron
minerals, magnesite, lead-zinc

Land use:
o Arable land:
39%
o Permanent crops:
4%
o Meadows and pastures:
20%
*
o Forest and woodland:
33%
o Other:
4% *
o Irrigated land:
3,674,000 hectares
(*Data are the results of General
Agriculture Census of 1991. The other
data refer to current agricultural
statistics)

Agricultural products: Grain (wheat and
barley), dry beans, sugar beet, potatoes,
cotton, tobacco, vegetables, fruits (nuts,
citrus, grapes, apples, olives) and tea

Industries: Food manufacturing, grain mill
products, beverage industries, tobacco,
textile, paper, chemical industries, fertilizers,
petroleum products, rubber products, tyres
and tube industries, glass products, cement,
iron
and
steel,
metal
products,
manufacture of machinery (transport
equipment,
shipbuilding,
railroad
ECO at a Glance
Page 77/85
equipment,
motor
manufacture).

vehicles,
aircraft
Transportation:
o Railways:
8,607 km
o Highways:
380,289 km
o Important Ports:
Gemlik, Hopa, Iskenderun,
Istanbul,
Izmir,
Izmit,
Mersin,
Samsun, Trabzon
o Merchant
marine
(1997):
5,866 ships
Page 78/85
ECO at a Glance
Selected Key Statistical Indicators of the Republic of
Turkey
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Indicator
Population (000)
Population Density (Population per Km2)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Male (Year)
Female (Year)
Total Fertility Rate
Share of Urban Population (%)
Literacy Rate (%)
Total Labor Force (000)
GDP at Current Price (Mln US$)
GDP per Capita (US$)
GDP Annual Growth Rate (%)
Agriculture
GDP by Sectors (%)
Industry
Services
Gross Fixed Capital Formation/GDP (%)
Foreign Direct Investment (Mln US$)
Exchange Rate (National Currency/US$)
Imports
Total Foreign Trade (Mln Exports
US$)
Total
Balance
Imports
ECO Trade/Total Foreign
Exports
Trade (%)
Total
Production of Crude Oil (Mln Ton)
Production of Natural Gas Mln M3)
Production of Electricity (Mln Kwh)
2009
72,050
93.6
71.7
76.5
2.12
75.2
92.5
24,748
616,703
8,559
-4.8
10.1
26.1
63.4
16.9
6,858
1.55
140,928
102,143
243,071
-38,786
4.3
5.8
4.9
2,237
685
194,813
2010
73,003
94.9
71.8
76.8
2.11
76.0
94.0
25,641
731,608
10,022
9.2
9.4
27.0
63.0
18.9
7,574
1.50
185,544
113,883
299,428
-71,661
6.3
6.7
6.4
2,544
682
211,208
2011
73,950
96.1
72.0
77.1
2.09
76.8
95.1
26,725
772,298
10,444
8.5
9.2
27.2
63.3
24.4
13,412
1.67
240,838
134,969
375,807
-105,869
7.2
6.9
7.1
…
…
…
Source: Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT)
ECO at a Glance
Page 79/85
5.9
Turkmenistan

National Day: 27th f October

Capital: Ashkhabad

Area: 491,200 sq. km

Borders: 3,736 km

Bordering countries: Afghanistan (744 km),
Iran (992 km), Kazakhstan (379 km),
Uzbekistan (1,621 km)

Coast line: Turkmenistan borders with the
Caspian Sea 1768 km

Climate: Sub-tropical desert

Natural resources: Oil, natural gas, coal,
sulphur, salt

Land use:
o Arable land:
3.47%
o Hay-mowing land:
0.02%
o Meadows
and
78.6%
Page 80/85
pastures:
ECO at a Glance
o Other:
18.1%
o Irrigated land:
1,788 thousand
(1998)

Agricultural
cattle

Industries: Gas, oil products, textile, food

Transportation (1997):
o Railways:
2,312 km general
purpose
o Highways:
13,597 km
o Waterways:
Amudarya River
is a major inland water transport
line
o Ports:
Turkmenbashi
(Krasnowodsk)
ECO at a Glance
products:
Cotton,
hectares
cereals,
Page 81/85
Selected Key Statistical Indicators of Turkmenistan
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Indicator
Population (000)
Population Density (Population per Km2)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Male (Year)
Female (Year)
Total Fertility Rate
Share of Urban Population (%)
Literacy Rate (%)
Total Labor Force (000)
GDP at Current Price (Mln US$)
GDP per Capita (US$)
GDP Annual Growth Rate (%)
Agriculture
GDP by Sectors (%)
Industry
Services
Gross Fixed Capital Formation/GDP (%)
Foreign Direct Investment (Mln US$)
Exchange Rate (National Currency/US$)
Imports
Exports
Total Foreign Trade (Mln
US$)
Total
Balance
Imports
ECO Trade/Total Foreign
Exports
Trade (%)
Total
Production of Crude Oil (Mln Ton)
Production of Natural Gas Mln M3)
Production of Electricity (Mln Kwh)
2009
4,980
10.1
60.7
69.0
2.44
49.1
99.6
2,117
18,651
3,745
6.0
12.0
54.0
34.0
51.0
3,867
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
35,720
15,980
2010
5,042
10.3
60.8
69.1
2.40
49.5
…
2,162
20,001
3,967
9.0
12.0
54.0
34.0
59.0
2,083
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
41,610
…
2011
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
Source: the World Bank
Page 82/85
ECO at a Glance
5.10 Republic of Uzbekistan

National Day: 1st of September

Capital: Tashkent

Area: 448,900 sq. km

Land boundaries: 6,221 km

Bordering countries: Kazakhstan (2203 km_,
Kyrgyzstan
(1099 km) , Tajikistan (1161
km), Turkmenistan (1821 km), Afghanistan
(137 km)

Uzbekistan has 420 km. sea shore of the
Aral Sea

Climate: Extreme continental with long hot
summers and warm winters

Natural resources: Natural gas, oil, coal,
gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead, zinc,
molybdenum,
marble,
granite,
phosphorites, potash and rock salts

Land use:
o Arable land:
ECO at a Glance
10.8%
Page 83/85

o Pastures:
40%
o woods:
3%
o Other:
48%
o Irrigated land:
40,000 sq Km
Agricultural products: Grain, mostly spring
wheat, cotton; wool, meat
Page 84/85
ECO at a Glance
Selected Key Statistical Indicators of the Republic of
Uzbekistan
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Indicator
Population (000)
Population Density (Population per Km2)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Male (Year)
Female (Year)
Total Fertility Rate
Share of Urban Population (%)
Literacy Rate (%)
Total Labor Force (000)
GDP at Current Price (Mln US$)
GDP per Capita (US$)
GDP Annual Growth Rate (%)
Agriculture
GDP by Sectors (%)
Industry
Services
Gross Fixed Capital Formation/GDP (%)
Foreign Direct Investment (Mln US$)
Exchange Rate (National Currency/US$)
Imports
Exports
Total Foreign Trade (Mln
US$)
Total
Balance
Imports
ECO Trade/Total Foreign
Exports
Trade (%)
Total
Production of Crude Oil (Mln Ton)
Production of Natural Gas Mln M3)
Production of Electricity (Mln Kwh)
2009
27,767
51.4
64.7
71.0
2.50
36.9
…
11,763
31,852
1,147
8.1
…
…
…
26.1
2,689
1,510
9,438
11,771
2010
28,234
52.3
64.9
71.2
2.50
36.9
…
12,123
38,923
1,379
8.5
…
…
…
24.9
2,794
1,589
8,798
13,045
2011
29,559
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
45,482
1,539
8.3
…
…
…
23.5
2,686
1,709
10,510
15,027
21,210
21,842
25,537
2,333
13.1
14.6
13.9
…
…
49,900
4,247
17.8
25.1
22.2
4
60,112
51,700
4,517
17.5
27.8
23.6
4
…
52,400
Source: State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on
Statistics (www.stat.uz)
ECO at a Glance
Page 85/85