Better Transport Links Paved
By Nasroul Hizam

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines yesterday agreed to enhance cooperation to further improve and accelerate transport infrastructure development across their borders at the close of a Bimp-Eaga meeting held here.

In a statement, participants to the fifth Bimp-Eaga Transport, Infrastructure and ICT Development Cluster Meeting said Malaysian carrier AirAsia is expected to operate routes between Kuching and Bandar Seri Begawan and between Kota Kinabalu and Bandar Seri Begawan. The statement said Batavia Airlines was also reported to serve Pontianak-Bandar Seri Begawan, while retaining an existing route between Pontianak and Kuching.

By June, the statement said cross-border buses are also expected to start operations. This is in keeping with a BimpEaga deal to allow the movement of commercial buses and coaches between Brunei, the state of Kalimantan, Indonesia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia.

With regards to sea linkages, car ferry services for MuaraMenumbok and Muara-Labuan are expected to commence service before the end of the year, the statement said.

Transport has been recognised by Bimp-Eaga as one of the key enablers to achieve its objectives to boost trade, investment and tourism in the sub-region.

To promote air transportation in the sub-region, member countries also agreed to exchange information on the status of their airports in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation safety and security requirements.

Recognising the Brunei International Airport as one of the gateways to Bimp-Eaga, the participants also agreed to back Brunei Darussalam's vision of becoming a hubb in the sub region.

Following the directive of the Bimp-Eaga leaders at the fourth Bimp-Eaga Summit held in Singapore in November 2007, Bimp-Eaga proposed to conclude a deal to pilot-test the Asean Framework Agreement on goods in transit, interstate and multimodal transport. In addition, member countries formulated guidelines for the early implementation of transportation of goods in transit within Bimp-Eaga.

Also this year, several capacity building programmes in respect to transportation are planned. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with