aseigtedintherecenttormationofanon-governmentalasaociationofnanufacturergof capital goods in the reglon tor erhlch it ttill assume gechnical aecretariat functions pro ten. In traisport end co lunlcations, ECLAC has concentrated its etforts in road transport on harnonizatlon of cugtons procedures; in rail$ay transport 1t nas co-operated rlth the reg lonal' rallrayE organization' ALAF' on rail$ay intormalion systemsi and in naritlne transPort it has nade efforts to identify opportunities for co-opetat lon. 72. In the agricultural fieLal' ECLAC h!8 undertaken studies and fiel't nlssions on thefeasibilityofcentralAmertcanco.operalloninthePromoti'onandexportof agr icultural products. 7f. In the area of trade co-operation, natlonal seninars have been held on the feasibiliry ot eslablishing joinc erPort achemes lhereas in the tield ot financial co-operation ECLAC has Prepared a study on criterla for the eatabllshment of a nultinational Latin Aneric;n comnerclal bank an't on the strengttteninq of co-operat ion rdithln the Latin tunertcan banklng system' ECONOT4IC AND SCIAL COI'TUISSIOI{ FOR IIESTERN ASIA 74. The role of ESCI{A in ECDC activitles is essentially co-ord ina! iona l. In thie caPacity the ESCIIA secretarratpronotional and has undertaken a study on its nenber countrles lnter-countrY Proj ec t seays and means to create an lnterdePendent fod economy anonq so as !o builal up reglonal food aecurlty, and has identified to conbat deserti f icat ion ' 73. Several rePorta have been PrePared on the inplementation of the inteqraled transport systen for glegtern A91a, neagures to facililate border croasinq' includlnq standardiza!ion of docuroents, and Pronotion of nultinational shipping enle rPr i se3. 76. In resPect of crade co-operaCton, the actlsities of ESCI{A -have concentrated on identifying opportunities for increased intraregional trade and econonlc integration and dlsseninatlng information on recent develoPnents in lhig reqard' rn particurar, r.ithin the coft 6o"'ope.ation Council (Gcc) ' A rePort was also prepared on a joinE Arab marketing strategy for Petrochemlcals and fertilizers' Esc$A also
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing economic development initiatives and programs in the region, with a focus on regional cooperation and integration. It mentions various activities and studies related to trade, transportation, agriculture, and finance, which suggests a strong emphasis on economic growth and development.

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