THE capacity of countries to efficiently move goods and connect manufacturers and consumers with international markets is improving, but much more progress is needed to spur faster economic growth, according to a new World Bank Group survey on trade logistics.

Germany is the top performer among the 155 economies ranked in the Logistics Performance Indicators (LPI), which are included in the report Connecting to Compete 2010: Trade Logistics in the Global Economy. The study is based on the most comprehensive world survey of international freight forwarders and express carriers.

"Economic competitiveness is relentlessly driving countries to strengthen performance. Improving trade logistics is a smart way to deliver more efficiencies, lower costs and added economic growth," said World Bank president Robert Zoellick, who was in Berlin to discuss global development and economic issues.

"Streamlining the connections among markets, manufacturers, farmers and consumers offers tremendous growth and investment opportunities and should be a top focus for developing country growth strategies," said Mr Zoellick.

Source: www.schednet.com