Improving
the Transport Processes |
Overview |
| As countries in the ESCAP region put
in place the basic transport infrastructure, regulatory and procedural
bottlenecks inhibit them from fully utilizing this transport capacity.
In addition there has been a failure in the trade and transport sector
to jointly identify and isolate the cause and extent of cost and delays.
At the same time, the proliferation of bilateral, trilateral, subregional
facilitation agreements while offering a quick solution, bring with it
the prospect of over inconsistent obligations and the need to ensure a
greater degree of harmonization at the regional and international level
at the regional level. As road transport takes an increasingly important
role in providing transit transport services, there is a need to consider
equitable approaches to the charging of transit/road maintenance fees. |
The secretariat's current activities
focus on the following: |
| a. Joint trade and transport facilitation
mechanisms |
Assist member countries to establish and strengthen appropriate
mechanisms such as joint trade and transport facilitation committees,
by identifying internationally accepted recommendations and best practices.
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b. Route analysis |
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In view of the nature and level of complexity of non-physical
bottlenecks, and the inconsistency of information and data within each
ESCAP member country, and between countries on either side of the border.
The secretariat has developed a methodology to help identify, isolate
and qualify bottlenecks.
|
The methodology is being applied on several transport routes
in different subregions and the results of these studies and ongoing
work can be accessed here.
|
c. Study on transit fees |
Assist member countries to review and assess transit transport
fees.
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| d. Harmonization of transport
facilitation agreements |
In order to provide a clear understanding the wide range
of trilateral, subregional and international conventions, the secretariat
undertakes research acitivities and provides advisory services to countries
on request. Secretariat activities encompass the promotion of the interntional
conventions in resolution
48/11 on road and rail transport modes in relation to facilitation
measures.
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