The Role Of The International Road Federation In The Enhancement Of The Economic Expansion Of Developing Countries

The objective of this paper is to present the role of the International Road Federation (IRF) in the enhancement of the economic expansion of developing countries. The basic philosophy of the IRF for the past fifty-eight years has been that road infrastructure development is the true key to economic and social progress in any country in the world. Since 1948, the IRF has been promoting technology transfer to developing countries. The IRF Fellowship Program has provided education opportunities at some of the finest institutions of higher learning in the world to individual Fellows from various countries with experts and leaders in the road industry as mentors. These Fellows return home to participate in responsible leadership roles in their countries, and their strong influence has affected the development of transportation systems. This paper will illustrate the contributions made by some of these Fellows. Studies have shown a direct link between a country’s gross domestic product and the level of sophistication of its infrastructure. Through the education and training activities offered by the IRF, countries around the world have gained the tools to expand the sophistication of their infrastructures and increase their gross national income. This paper will illustrate how the IRF’s influence to make better roads has resulted in global economic growth, and that it continues to add to this growth today.