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Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) are isolated from global markets because of the lack of direct territorial access to the sea. Their geographical constraints and remoteness create many challenges. This low transport connectivity causes lower levels of trade compared to transit countries and the world average. In addition, LLDCs’ transport infrastructure is characterized by missing links and poor maintenance, causing high trade costs and even lower connectivity.

This situation impedes the LLDCs’ integration into regional and global value chains and markets with the situation further worsening since the COVID-19 pandemic. An improved road infrastructure will support the LLDCs’ sustainable development by providing physical access to markets. This will be possible through measures to increase the capability of road agencies to monitor road condition, by establishing an authority that oversees the building and maintenance of road networks, and ensuring technical standards are harmonized.

After road, rail is the leading transport mode for most LLDCs. For many, their access to ports is contingent upon rail. Rail freight has proven to be relatively resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic as it uses less manpower over long haul distances, hence less frequent human interactions and lower potential of spreading the virus. Despite its potential advantages over road transport, most LLDCs prioritize road infrastructure investments over rail transport. Missing links, ageing tracks and inadequate maintenance characterize railway networks in LLDCs.

Compared to the world average, LLDCs also have lower air transport connectivity. Expanding air transport infrastructure demands very high investment, while export commodities of many LLDCs have low value addition. LLDCs need to liberalize their air transport services and improve their capacity in mobilizing sufficient financial resources to finance the improvement of aviation. Shortage of skilled manpower to manage aviation infrastructure and airports operations is also a challenge that needs to be addressed. LLDCs need to give more priority to the aviation sector in their national infrastructure development plans.

The new report “Improving Transport Connectivity for LLDCs” provides recommendations on policies and strategies to strengthen the capacity of LLDCs and their transit neighbours to design and implement policies that promote transport connectivity and to build resilient transport infrastructure. It also provides suggestions on the best role that multilateral agencies can play. Without contemporizing and realigning policy, regional connectivity cannot be improved and socio-economic objectives will not be attained.

Full Report