Infrastructures et coopération régionale

This article focuses on the role of cross-border infrastructure in the process of regional integration in developing Asia. The first section sets the context, examining Asia?s phenomenal growth in trade and investment over the past two and half decades. The second section reviews four case studies of cross-border infrastructure in Asia. This exercise reveals that most cross-border infrastructure projects and programs are very complex and that there is a need for a comprehensive framework to deal with inherent challenges facing cross-border infrastructure. The third section offers a conceptual framework with which to address political, economic and financial, and institutional challenges for cross-border infrastructure development. It emphasizes that the ?software? component is inseparable from the ?hardware? component if cross-border connectivity is to be improved. The last section identifies key actions that need to be taken by various stakeholders ?Asian governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, and multilateral institutions? in connecting Asia.