Cross-Border Trade Along the River Pyanj in Two Badakhshans

Abstract

This paper aims to contribute to the study of some of the aspects of development in post-Soviet Central Asia as part of the local, national and international efforts for bringing about regional integration. The significance of this study stems from the fact that it is the first effort, aimed at academic treatment of cross-border economic exchanges now taking place between several partner states as well as a number of multi-lateral international non-governmental organizations. The paper is based on a case study with the requirement of fieldwork in eastern Tajikistan, namely, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, a juncture where several states meet along the international frontiers. It is focused on cross-border trade, economic cooperation and local development efforts undertaken to foster links between Tajik Badakhshan and Afghan Badakhshan in cross-border markets, located near the international bridges with border control custom checkpoints, connecting the two countries. This study has identified two aspects of economic activities that contribute to improving the living standards of the local population in the border areas through international cooperation in the area. One form comprises direct economic exchanges between the residents of the two sides of the border, while another constitutes direct and indirect contribution of resources through development efforts by a larger number of state and non-state actors and players. Both of these forms of economic activities are separately represented in this paper in an academic format, based on the findings, collected in the course of field studies. At the end of this study, some analysis and summary of the impact of cross-border cooperation on the living conditions of the local population and the prospects of relative economic growth in the border areas sum up the theoretical and practical outcomes of this research.