studies, byconvening adhocexpert groupandintergovernmental meetings, andby conducting training courses andadvisory missions; (b)Surveys andstudies ontheformulation ofamaster planforthe establishment ofESCWAregional transport networks, aswellastheconsolidation of transport bridges through specific projects between theMashreq andtheMaghreb countries, willbeinitiated withaviewtohaving themaster plancompleted; (c)Theidentification, formulation andpreparation ofregional and subregional programmes andprojects forESCWAregional merchant fleets andports development willbecarried outandfinalized; (d)Theimplementation, finalization andfollow-up oftheprogrammes and projects fortheTransport andCommunications Decade forWestern Asia,including thefullestablishment oftheTrans-Arab Corridors willbeconducted. Research and technical assistance activities, aswellassupport fornegotiations (pledging conferences, inter-agency meetings, etc.)fortheDecade's investment programmes willbeundertaken. 34.133 Theactivities ofthesecretariat intheareaofcommunications (telecommunications andpostal services) willfocusonthepreparation ofplansand programmes tolinktheESCWAregionwiththeother[world] regions. These activities and,inparticular, theimprovement oftelephone-switching centres, will betackled within theframework oftheTransport andCommunications Decade for Western Asia. 34.134 Thesecretariat willcontinue topublish annually dataonthetransport and communications sector (networks, capacity andutilization). -33- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library