Zimbabwe, anticipation of economic and humanitarian needs : survey of the transport - communications sector

These are measured by such factors as the extent of road and rail networks, the volume of freight moved by various modes, and the number of road vehicles in use. This paper examines aspects of the transportation sector in detail and focuses on the response of the transport sector to the imposition of sanctions and on the problems arising from transport policies and administration. Problems in the transport sector which have implications for the transition are discussed and certain critical issues pointed out. The emphasis of transport policy on external trade has produced the following consequences: railways receive a disproportionate amount of resources, railway capacity has been built up in areas which may not be profitable after the removal of sanctions, road transport has been underfinanced, and the interior transport system has been affected by inadequate funds for maintenance and replacement. The removal of sanctions should permit shorter, more efficient routes to be utilized for external trade, and should cause a lowering of the transport costs of imported and exported commodities.