Transport and the Economic Downturn

The extent and pace of the ongoing decline in international trade and transport volumes are unprecedented prompting many governments to consider economic revitalisation packages. Political responses to the economic downturn can pose a threat to globalisation if they are devised principally to protect domestic markets. By contrast, they can act as a powerful lever to global trade if they encourage openness to international trade and investment by removing administrative obstacles and investing in transport infrastructure. A debate on the key political measures needs to address the following questions:

How is the current downturn affecting transport and what are the appropriate policy responses? What is the role for transport in an effective stimulus package? How can environmental goals still be met? What measures are needed to deal with the social consequences of the economic downturn? How real is the risk of return to protectionism?

Conclusions Session 1 -- Conclusions Session 2

Related Documentation

Transport Outlook 2009: Globalisation, Crisis and Transport JTRC Discussion Paper No.2009-12, May 2009 Policy Challenges for Railways in the Economic Downturn Johannes LUDEWIG, Community of European Railway & Infrastructure Companies (CER) Transport and the Crisis Klaus EBELING, European Intermodal Association (EIA) Responding to the Global Downturn Spyros POLEMIS, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Policy Measures to Fight the Economic Downturn in the Domain of the Road Martin MARMY, International Road Transport Union (IRU) ITF Short-Term Survey, Database by Country: Data 1995-2008 Benefiting from Globalisation. Transport Sector Contribution and Policy Challenges 17th ITF/OECD International Symposium on Transport Economics and Policy Research Findings on the Evolution of the World Economy and its Links with Transport ITF Secretariat Document