7th IRU Euro-Asian Road Transport Conference, Ministerial Meeting and C0-ordination Meeting of International Organization and Financial institutions. A Regional Strategic Framework for the Development of Trade, Transit and International Road Transport links across the Middle East and north Africa Regions (LAS Perspective) By: Dr.Mohamed Al-Nsour Director of Arab Economic Integration Dept Economic Sector AMMAN:

1.Road transport is generally cheaper than rail for both passengers and goods. 2. Any dwelling or work place in the country can be services by road and the selected route can be changed at very short notice because of the nature and comprehensiveness of the road network. 3. Road transport is also safer for fragile goods and calls for simpler packing than for goods sent by rail. 1-The Strength of International Road Transport

Cont 4. There is less need for expensive terminal facilities and management effort can be concentrated on scheduling without the need to supervise the construction, maintenance and planning of track. 5.A fleet of road vehicles is easier to control than the railway fleet because each individual vehicle is managed by one person who can react quickly to the changing circumstances of the journey.

2-Transport and Facilitating Trade Transport is considered the most important component in trade logistics. Facilitating trade operations is one of the most important factors in increasing cross-border trade. Trade literature indicates that the costs of transport in developing countries are two to three times higher on average than the costs of customs duties.

The complicated transport system in the west played a vital role in increasing trade and its efficiency compared with the high costs of transport endured by trade in the developing countries, which in turn affects its trade flow and efficiency. Within the framework of the knot between trade and transport, the efficiency of transport is considered the basis for the efficiency of trade

N 2-Regional Development of Trade. M M M M MM M M M M M M M M M M M N N N The PAFTA started on 1 January 1998, with the participation of 18 of the 22 member countries of the Arab League which represent 92% of Arab foreign trade and 96% of inter-Arab trade.

3-Transport and Regional Development In regional modeling, transport plays central role through the two following mechanisms:- 1. Within each region, the reduction in the cost of transport lead to a reduction in the cost of production and hence to effects on the level of demand within the region. 2. Between regions a reduction in the cost of transport lead to a change in the trade

4-Trade Barriers Related to Transport The delay of cargo trucks at the border points which might damage the goods. Not giving the drivers the necessary visas to cross the borders. The lack of a network of land and. Cross-border procedures represent the main obstacle facing the stream and flow of trade exchange be it during the release of goods or while they pass on transit.

5\Toward a Strategy of Dynamic Arab Transport -1 The establishment of networks of Transport of Arab land, especially in a manner compatible with the facilities and services attached to an important factor in achieving economic development and social, cultural and civilization each country separately there must be, in the Arab countries to supervise the ease of movement of persons and goods in the various existing border between the countries of the region.

2-Liberalization of transportation services should lie at the heart of intra- regional efforts to facilitate merchandise trade... A regional developed agreement regarding land transport is needed.

3-The objectives of the national strategy of the existence of road transport in the Arab homeland, to link parts of the Arab International road network according to the best technical specifications in terms of design and implementation systems with compliance with axle loads and specific weights..

4-The development of transport networks in the Arab countries as a basis necessary to develop basic requirements to ensure the economic growth and social and activation by reducing the costs of transport, thus reducing the cost of goods and maintain the linked areas of consumption production areas.

5- Automated transactions in the border outlets: Still most of the procedures applicable to the border to be applied manually, which consumes a lot of time and a write-off and the difficulty in reading data which requires automating customs outlets and computer, with the need to link all state ports on a mainframe computer.

6-Streamlining transport laws and legislation in the Arab homeland: streamlining the system include the axle loads and simplify what possible charges and taxes, as well as unifying road transport terminology and symbols and traffic rules drivers licenses.

7-Application of customs inspection sample models: In view of the importance of time to complete the procedures in some border security and customs requirements mainly, it is necessary to use models of random sample customs inspection, as well as to the application of the X-ray inspection. The necessity of a sufficient number of trained staff to the implementation of the inspection highway to open the border to the movement of goods 24 hours a day. And wax trucks and allowing them to leave instead of convoy system.

8- Unified Arab bank information: view of the suffering of the transport sector on the Arab level of undergoing in statistical information, which creates difficulties, high-workers and officials of the medium- and long-term plans. it requires the establishment of a unified Arab Bank of information transport sector and all its branches.

8- The application of collective agreements and private transport: This includes the call of the Arab States on the implementation of the conventions authentication transport organization to cross. Transit" which had been prepared in 1977 and updated in line with developments in transit transport such as TIR

9-Others *Simplifying border procedures. *Opening border customs and other points for 24 hours to speed up the process of finishing the procedures of goods’ entry. *Cooperation and coordination among customs departments. *Paying attention to trade safety and inter-Arab supply chains *Developing road transport fleet *Shortening the documents needed for road transport *Shortening the border procedures needed for road transport. **Developing the infrastructure for the trade.

To facilitate international transport in the region and raise its level to reduce costs and the time of transition and its administrative and customs. Raising the level of international trade performance and efficiency in the Arab States and reduce costs to increase international trade volumes between the Arab countries and the rest of the world. Raising the level of productivity of the agricultural sector and industry with a view to raising the level of competition for goods and services that are produced. Policy guidance and funding sources in the transport sector.

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