The Regional Cooperation and Integration Financing Partnership Facility (RCIFPF) was established in 2007 to support regional cooperation and integration in Asia and the Pacific by (i) improving cross-border physical connectivity; (ii) increasing trade and investment flows in developing member countries from regional and nonregional economies; (iii) preserving macroeconomic and financial stability in the region; and (iv) improving regional environmental, health, and social conditions.
The RCIFPF includes two trust funds: the Asia Regional Trade and Connectivity Fund (ARTCF), established by the Government of the United Kingdom (closed in 2024), and the Investment Climate Facilitation Fund, supported by the Government of Japan.
The ARTCF aimed to support developing member countries in Central Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia in improving regional connectivity and trade facilitation.
The Investment Climate Facilitation Fund aims to promote investments in developing member countries and facilitate regional cooperation and integration by improving investment climates, building capacity, and promoting good governance.
| Year Established | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Partner | United Kingdom |
| Cumulative Contributions Committed | $13.9 million |
| Project Commitments This figure accounts for savings from closed projects. Project commitments may exceed contributions as investment income and gains from foreign exchange transactions are used for new projects. | |
| Technical Assistance | $11.3 million for 14 TA projects |
The United Kingdom Fund for Asia Regional Trade and Connectivity Fund (ARTCF) was established in 2018. Its objective was to support the implementation of ADB’s Operational Plan for Regional Cooperation and Integration by financing regional cooperation and integration activities in selected member countries in Central Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, leading to improved integration with other regions of the world.
The ARTCF supported regional electricity connectivity and trade, transport connectivity, digital connectivity, regulatory reform, and broad regional trade and investment facilitation, among others. The fund was closed in 2024.
| Year Established | 2008 |
|---|---|
| Partner | Japan |
| Cumulative Contributions Committed | $31.5 million |
| Project Commitments This figure accounts for savings from closed projects. Project commitments may exceed contributions as investment income and gains from foreign exchange transactions are used for new projects. | |
| Technical Assistance | $31.3 million for 29 TA projects |
The Investment Climate Facilitation Fund, or ICFF, was established in 2008 to help address the challenges of promoting investments and facilitating regional cooperation and integration through the construction of basic infrastructure, improvements in the investment climate, capacity building, and promotion of good governance, among others. The fund is used to finance technical assistance and grant components of investment projects that contribute directly to poverty reduction.
The fund focuses on regional finance sector development, and the improvement of the environment for cross-border investment.
A pilot economic corridor between Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, and Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, was established to foster trade, enhance free movement of labor and capital, and promote infrastructure modernization.
It is about trading better: Central Asia sees improved trade integration, infrastructure, and systems as key to boosting economic growth, jobs, and opportunity.
