Skip to main content

Ministers at ITF agree transport investment is crucial for growth

Ministers from the 54 member countries of the International Transport Forum are calling for more investment in strategic transport infrastructure and services. “Funding transport is a major challenge for transport policy today. The demand for mobility through high-quality transport networks and services is growing fast”, the ministers stated in a joint Declaration on Funding Transport agreed today during their 2013 Summit in Leipzig, Germany. “Transport infrastructure is much more than asphalt, concrete or
May 23, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Ministers from the 54 member countries of the 1102 International Transport Forum are calling for more investment in strategic transport infrastructure and services. “Funding transport is a major challenge for transport policy today. The demand for mobility through high-quality transport networks and services is growing fast”, the ministers stated in a joint Declaration on Funding Transport agreed today during their 2013 Summit in Leipzig, Germany.

“Transport infrastructure is much more than asphalt, concrete or steel; it is the backbone of national economies, providing connections for people and goods, access to jobs and services, and enabling trade and economic growth”, they said. “With investment in transport infrastructure a long-term venture, robust, credible funding solutions that support trade, economic growth and environmental and social sustainability are urgently needed. With both public budgets and private sector resources under constraint, government authorities and industry must together seek new ways of ensuring stable, long-term funding for the sector.”

This comes shortly after the UK Government was advised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to invest heavily in infrastructure so as to improve long term financial stability. The IMF suggested borrowing up to US$13.57 billion (£9 billion) to invest in much needed infrastructure projects, so as to provide jobs and business and deliver a lifeline for economic growth.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Ministers vow on global transport connectivity
    May 4, 2012
    Transport Ministers from 53 countries have agreed a ‘common declaration’ to improve global transport connectivity. The formal declaration text, in which ministers agree that the “seamless transport is a powerful and ambitious strategic vision for the future of transport systems”, was approved at the Annual Summit of the International Transport Forum (ITF) in Leipzig, Germany. The declaration also states that seamless transport “drives the development of better mobility and sustainable economic growth”, an
  • FIEC calls for coherent investment in Europe's infrastructure
    April 24, 2012
    The European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) is calling on the European Governments to recognise the importance of investing in infrastructure. The FIEC says it recognises the challenging economic climate and the need for governments to cut unsustainable levels of public debt. But FIEC president Luisa Todini commented, “Austerity is however not a solution by itself.” Europe’s transport, energy and telecommunication networks are the backbone of the EU internal market, ensuring that goods and services
  • Ministerial talks at International Transport Forum summit in Leipzig, Germany
    May 22, 2013
    Ministers responsible for transport infrastructure from the 54 member countries of the International Transport Forum at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) were meeting today in Leipzig, Germany, for a three-day summit to discuss the future of funding transport. According to OECD figures, air passenger travel is projected to double, air transport to triple and container handling in ports to quadruple by 2030. Investment needs for transport infrastructure to 2030 are estimated a
  • Senior ADB figure urges governments to act on sustainable transport
    September 27, 2013
    Multilateral development banks (MDB) are determined to do all they can to encourage governments of developing countries meet key sustainable transport targets, according to a senior figure at one of the world’s biggest MDB’s. Guy Woodford reports Tyrrell Duncan, Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) director of Transport and Communications Division, East Asia has been at the forefront of MDB efforts to enhance sustainable transport and road safety in developing countries. Speaking during a break in talks at the In