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Transport costs and access to efficient
transport services
From a country’s trade competitiveness
perspective, efficient access to affordable, reliable and cost-effective
transport systems remains an imperative challenge to be met in many developing
countries. Their participation in global trade is largely determined by the
cost of producing and bringing goods to markets in a timely manner. Often
surpassing customs duties, transport costs influence the volume, structure and
patterns of trade, as well as a country’s comparative advantage and trade
competiveness.1 9. High transport costs hinder export development by limiting
the range of potential products and markets in which goods can be competitively
and profitably traded.
The
quality and the efficiency of transport infrastructure and services indeed
affect cost levels. Access to well-functioning transport systems enable smooth
trade flows by reducing operating costs such as transport, storage and
handling, as well as transaction costs, for example, processing of
documentation and trade facilitation. Yet, as noted by experts during the
second session of the Multi-year Expert Meeting on Transport and Trade.
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