Brunei enhances port services
By Azlan Othman

Viewing the exhibit put up by the Ports Department of the Ministry of Communication. Awg Razali (L) opening the conference. Photos: Rudolf Portillo The future development of transportation in Brunei will ensure a prosperous national economy and a fundamentally strong nation. Brunei is playing a pro-active role to ensure that by integrating the total logistics chain, Brunei will not only enhance the movement of goods but also act as a business provider. This was stated by Razali Johari, Executive Vice Chairman of PSA Muara Container Terminal, while launching the 2nd Asean Ports and Shipping 2003 exhibition and conference yesterday.

The two-day conference and exhibition is one of the largest maritime transport gatherings in the Asean region this year. It is held to enhance foreign direct investment to the region and to promote Asean ports, shipping and transport logistics worldwide.

It is being attended by world class international experts who will focus on current challenges being faced by Asean ports, shipping lines, cargo owners and shippers.

Among the papers presented include "Prospects for growth and trade in the Asean region with the emergence of AFTA", "Brunei's Aspiration to become a Service Hub for Trade and Tourism- A Private Sector's Perspective", and "An Overview on the Privatisation of Ports".

Awg Razali said "the government of Brunei provides the administrative guidance and infrastructure support whilst the private sector directs its energies towards the development of business relationships and partnerships with their customers. This is a good example of how the public and private sectors can work successfully hand in hand.

"Customs in Brunei continue to play an integral role in the global intermodal chain and is committed to the enhanced and expeditious throughput of cargoes by simplifying administration and supporting an accelerated implementation in information technology for import, export or transhipment cargoes.

"In a changing world economic environment, Brunei will continue to be adaptive and responsive in order to maintain resilience and successfulness and will continue to customer sensitive and customer focussed."

Awg Razali said at present, 90% of the world's containerised cargo is shipped by sea. Therefore, wherever container services are provided, there will also be the demand for seaport facilities.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin