At a recent logistics conference in Chongqing, one of the main speakers said that rail freight was the key to opening up west China to increased export production. Western and Central China benefit from lower manufacturing costs, and as such would be able to offer industrial investors a good return. But development is currently hampered by a lack of infrastructure, and therefore most exports are produced in the coastal area. Intermodal rail is the most effective solution for the long-distance logistics and transport needs of the region. A freight line was recently opened to transport goods between Chngqing and Shenzhen in southern Guangdon province; this has reduced the transport time from 62 to 53 hours.