Minister Calls For Enhancing Transport Security
By Amin Hosni

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei's Minister of Communications has highlighted the need for every economy to work closely together to secure trade by enhancing transport security, as well as to put in place a regime that is compatible with international security goals.

Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kema Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong delivered his keynote address on transport security at the three-day 5th APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting, in Adelaide, Australia, Saturday.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to strengthen cooperation towards continued efforts in realising initiatives and actions related to transport safety, security and transport's role in trade liberalisation and facilitation among APEC economies.

Pehin Hj Awg Abu Bakar informed the meeting that Brunei Darussalam had complied with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) since July 1, 2004, especially with regard to the preparation of Port Facility Security Plan, training of port security officers and personnel, the success in organising seminars and workshop and also the incorporation of necessary legislations into the Brunei Darussalam law.

As a follow-up to a securit,- audit by international Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO}) at the Brunei International Airport conducted in November 2006, Pehin Hj Awg Abu Bakar also informed the meeting that Brunei Darussalam through its relevant authority "has currently intensified its efforts to achieve the full implementation and enforcement of the international protocols on aviation security, as well as of the ICAO Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs;, especially those relating to aviation security".

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Australia, Mark Vaile, in his opening remarks highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation on transport issues among APEC economies as transportation plays a key role in the APEC agenda for trade facilitation in the Asia-Pacific region. The movement of people and goods underpins economic and social development in the region. Transport sector activity itself accounts for a significant portion of regional economies. It is, therefore, necessary that the transport systems are efficient, convenient and secure, he said.

In a Joint Ministerial Statement, Ministers responsible for Transportation in the APEC region acknowledged the diversity of APEC economies and the need to take appropriate individual and joint actions consistent with each economy's circumstances.

During the three-day meeting, various keynote presentations were delivered by transport ministers on three broad themes namely: transport's role in trade liberalisation and facilitation; transport safety; and transport security.

Accompanying Pehin Dato Haji Awang Abu Bakar to the meeting were Dato Paduka Hj Yussof bin Hj Hassan, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, senior officials from the ministry and relevant departments under it. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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