Emerging and developing economies of Central Asia are expected to grow 3.6% this year. According to the latest edition of the World Bank’s Economic Update, recovery in exports and stabilizing industrial commodity prices are forecast to partly offset a repressed economic activity caused by the recent flare-up in new cases of Covid-19. However, the region is faced with a risk of growing poverty. Rapid vaccination, rigorous support measures to the vulnerable, and investing in the economies will be critical to address the challenge. To help better understand where the countries stand, the World Bank’s Regional Director for Central Asia, Lilia Burunciuc sat down with Lyazzat Shatayeva for this episode of IMPACTFUL.