Fitting infrastructure for exporters

Infrastructure services, including transportation, energy and telecommunications, account for much of the costs of export-oriented and other developing and transition economy businesses. The effcient organization and conduct of these services is vital to the export competitiveness and success of such businesses. For this reason, infrastructure investment is increasingly seen as a key vehicle for enhancing the development prospects of low- and middle-income countries, and the provision of infrastructure services has rightly emerged as a primary focus of development assistance. Infrastructure now accounts for about 40% of the World Bank Group’s commitments. Overall, there is no doubt that sound infrastructure investments can make a big difference to countries’ growth: for example, in recent years, enhanced public investment in infrastructure has been a key factor underpinning rapid growth and a decrease in trade costs in the emerging economies of Asia (Brooks and Hummels 2009).

Sustainable Development Goals:

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure