Beirut, 20 December 2017 (Communication and Information Unit) – “With increased competitiveness from trade liberalization in most countries across the world, production fragmentation has become essential. The production of a single commodity is divided across several countries and specialized enterprises, each producing a specific component of that commodity. Such fragmentation increases demand for transport and logistics services to meet producer needs in securing production inputs from various places within tight schedules, so as to ensure the final production and transport of goods,” said United Nations Under-Secretary-General and ESCWA Executive Secretary Mohamed Ali Alhakim during the opening of the 18th Session of Committee on Transport and Logistics.
Alhakim added that funding improved transport infrastructure poses a major challenge for most Arab countries. It requires a review of available funding options from non-governmental sources, such as private sector partnerships, foreign investment, and initial public offerings to transport and other projects. The Executive Secretary also indicated that ESCWA prioritizes working with member States on building capacity to understand and analyse the needs of the transport and logistics sector, and to identify its weaknesses. ESCWA is also preparing programmes to support member States in building their logistics capacity and implementing trade-facilitation measures, to enable national enterprises to link to global and regional value chains and access international markets.
A crowd of experts from most of the ESCWA member States specialized in the various fields related to the topics of discussion attended the Session.
The 18th Session of the Committee on Transport and Logistics is a continuation of the efforts made by ESCWA in the field of Transport and Logistics, given the effective role of transport in achieving regional integration. It is also being held to review the progress in the ESCWA transport related activities since the 17th Session of the Committee, the level of implementation of the recommendations of the 17th Session, as well as an ESCWA project on the Formulation of a Mutually Agreed upon Vision for the Development of a Strategic Multimodal Transport System in the Arab Region.
High level panel tomorrow
Within the 18th Session of the ESCWA Committee on Transport and Logistics, a high-level panel discussion will be held tomorrow Thursday 21 December 2017 at 10:00 am on the major drivers of change in the transport and logistics sector and their impact on the Arab region, and will be moderated by economic media personality Violette Balaa.
The ESCWA Communication and Information Unit (ECIU) kindly request media representatives wishing to cover this meeting to confirm their attendance on the following numbers in order to facilitate their access:
+96170008879
+96170827372
+96170079021
Alhakim added that funding improved transport infrastructure poses a major challenge for most Arab countries. It requires a review of available funding options from non-governmental sources, such as private sector partnerships, foreign investment, and initial public offerings to transport and other projects. The Executive Secretary also indicated that ESCWA prioritizes working with member States on building capacity to understand and analyse the needs of the transport and logistics sector, and to identify its weaknesses. ESCWA is also preparing programmes to support member States in building their logistics capacity and implementing trade-facilitation measures, to enable national enterprises to link to global and regional value chains and access international markets.
A crowd of experts from most of the ESCWA member States specialized in the various fields related to the topics of discussion attended the Session.
The 18th Session of the Committee on Transport and Logistics is a continuation of the efforts made by ESCWA in the field of Transport and Logistics, given the effective role of transport in achieving regional integration. It is also being held to review the progress in the ESCWA transport related activities since the 17th Session of the Committee, the level of implementation of the recommendations of the 17th Session, as well as an ESCWA project on the Formulation of a Mutually Agreed upon Vision for the Development of a Strategic Multimodal Transport System in the Arab Region.
High level panel tomorrow
Within the 18th Session of the ESCWA Committee on Transport and Logistics, a high-level panel discussion will be held tomorrow Thursday 21 December 2017 at 10:00 am on the major drivers of change in the transport and logistics sector and their impact on the Arab region, and will be moderated by economic media personality Violette Balaa.
The ESCWA Communication and Information Unit (ECIU) kindly request media representatives wishing to cover this meeting to confirm their attendance on the following numbers in order to facilitate their access:
+96170008879
+96170827372
+96170079021
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For more information:
Nabil Abu-Dargham +961-70-99 31 44; email: dargham@un.org
Ms Rania Harb: +96170008879 harb1@un.org
Ms Mirna Mahfouz: +961-70-827372 mahfouz@un.org
Mr Haidar Fahs: +961-70-079021 haydar.fahs@un.org
