.
19. Unfortunately, data on costs of transportation and logistical constraints specific to trade
within the IMT-GT are unavailable. Development of such data should be a critical immediate
objective for promoting trade and investment in IMT-GT. The data on transportation and other
logistical costs would provide an important benchmark to quantitatively measure future
progress in enhancing regional connectivity in the subregion, help to identify substantive
constraints for policy interventions, and facilitate assessing impact and prioritization of various
initiatives aimed at improving regional connectivity. A rigorous and comprehensive study of
logistical constraints and transportation costs in IMT-GT trade needs to be undertaken on a
7
high priority basis to help inform policy on enhancing connectivity and promoting trade.
Findings from the study should be discussed at two working groups of IMT-GT, dealing with
infrastructure and with trade and investment.