transit-transport information systems mustremain acentral element inspecific actionrelated totheparticular needsandproblems ofland-locked developing countries, butthesemeasures mustbecomplemented bytheformulation of longer-term development strategies thattransform thestructure ofland-locked national economies inawaythat r~duces theadverse consequences ofland-locked geographical situation. 5.TheGovernments ofland-locked countries can~layanimportant roleinthis connectiou. Inplanning structural change, special attention mustbepaidtOI (a)theexpansion ofregional exports through ~heidentification anddevelopment of I •••A/44/588 English Page7 sectors ofregional comparative advantage; (b)thepromotion ofhigh-value,low-bulk exports andthereduction oftheextenttowhichexportproduction dependsonimported inputs; and(c)importsubstitution inbothagriculture andmanufacturing inawaythattakesaccount ofdomestic resource costsoflocalproduction. Identifying opportunities forimportsUbstitution willentail acreative approach thatwilldepend, forexample, onnatural resource appraisal andmineral exploration, agricultural research inmixedcropping systems thatdonotrequire imported fertilizer, ortheadoption oftechnologies thatalloweconomicproduction onasmallscale. ~/ 6.Thesestructural changes willrequire adegreeofregional co-operation.Experience hasshownthatthisisnoteasytoachieve, butifbroader regionalco-operation isseenasaprocess ofpolicyharmonization inspecific sectors (suchastransport, energy andparticular industries), ratherthananattempt toachievetotaleconomic integration, itmaybeeasierforland-locked developing countriesandtheircoastal neighbours tofindareasofcommoninterest. Wellco-ordinatedregional andsubregional transport planning, forexample, willnotonlyprovidepossibilities foralternative transit routesforland-locked developing countriesbutwillalsolaythefoundation forco-operation inotherareasfromwhichallcan benefit. Although someland-locked countries maybeatacompetitive disadvantagevis-avis~eighbouring countries thathavealargerpopulation andincome fromtheirdomestic markets aswellasaheadstart inexporting~ thegrowthpotential ofthoseneighbouring countries offersvastopportunities formeaningful co-operationwiththerelatively poorland-locked developing countries. Deliberate arrangementscouldinfactbenegotiated whereby somespecific industries, inwhichaland-locked country hasacomparative advantage, canbenefit fromaregional marketforadomestic consumption surplus. Specific import-substitution programmes canalsobecome moreviablewithintheframework of.suchregional andsubregionalschemes. Donors, too,mustrealize thatacountry-specific approach isnotnecessarily themosthelpful forland-locked countrie~. Itisimportant thatinternational assistance encourage aregional approach thatfosters greatercollective ~elf-reliance andco-prosperity. Theveryslowprogress madeinimplementing manyregional projects hasbeenduetothelackofwell-conceived and well-formulated project proposals. Technical assistance support fromdonors cansignificantly contribute totheformulation andpreparation ofregional projectpackages withaviewtoimproving theirquality andattractiveness topotentialdonors. J./ 7.Astrategy thatattempts tosolvepersistent balance-of-payments deficits byanexclusive focusonoverseas exports andintensifies exportproduction insectorsoftraditional comparative advantage islikelytobemisguided because ofthespecial circumstances oftheland-locked countries. Suchastrategy islikelyto increase theirburden anf.thevulnerability oftheeconomies ofland-lockedcountries totransit-transport problems. Thesurvival ofland-locked countries andtheviability ofthJireconomies willratherrequire suchastrategl' tobebroadened andmodified toenablethesecountries tobenefit fullyfromthevastopportunities thatcouldbeoffered bywell-conceived andeffectively implementedsUbregional andregional arrangements inkeyareasoftradeanddevelopment. Itisonlythisbalanced long-term approach thatwillensurethegradual disentanglementoftheland-locked developing countries fromthecurrent vi~ious circleofdepressive underdevelopment. /...A/44/588 English Page8 IT~.CURRENT TRANSIT-TRANSPORT SITUATION A.Somefundamentals ofthetransit-transport problem!/ 8.Theland-locked countries inAfrica, AsiaandLatinAmerica areverydiverse. Theirpopulations rangeinsizefromabout700,000 inSwaziland tosome19million inAfghanistan. Theyinclude countries withmineral resources, suchasBolivia,
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the challenges faced by land-locked developing countries in terms of their economic development, particularly in regards to transit-transport information systems and trade. It highlights the need for these countries to adopt a long-term development strategy that addresses their structural problems, such as dependence on imported inputs and lack of regional cooperation. The text also touches on the importance of natural resources, agricultural research, and technological adoption in promoting economic growth.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade, Transport and communication