The impact of transport infrastructures on economic development: the case of the Moroccan high-speed railway line (LGV)

Abstract

As part of the strengthening of public investment, necessary for economic, social and territorial development and the creation of a favourable business climate, Morocco has adopted a policy encouraging foreign investment and the promotion of a sustained growth dynamic. Transport infrastructure is a subset of public capital and contributes strongly to growth. This paper addresses a preliminary macroeconomic question, namely, what is the relationship between public capital and economic development? We then turn to the specific case of transport infrastructure. In general, we find that the principle of non-deterministic effects holds. However, recent empirical studies and the most recent one confirms the existence of variability in the link between public capital and economic growth. But with different impacts more moderate for the second work undertaken on this subject. This article aims to present and synthesize a review of the literature on the role and effects of transport infrastructure on economic development, including high speed rail, in order to prepare the ground for the future case of the first high speed rail line in Morocco (Tangier-Casablanca High Speed Line) in service since November 2018.)