Towards Greater Transport Integration
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - The 12th Asean Transportation Ministers meeting in Bangkok witnessed the signing of the Asean Transport agreement.

The ministers signed two protocols - designation of transit transport routes and facilities of the Asean Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Goods in Transit, and to implement the fifth package of commitments on Air transport services under the Asean Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS).

Brunei Darussalam's delegation was led by Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Communications.

The conclusion of these agreements sends a strong signal to investors that Asean is continually moving towards greater transport integration and cooperation. Brunei Darussalam, like other Asean member countries will positively benefit from the above developments, as they will provide a good platform of doing business with reduced cost and better commercial dealings for stakeholders.

It is vital to create a more liberal environment of expanding airfreight and passenger services in Asean for enhanced trade, investment and tourism opportunities in the region, a press release stated.

Yesterday's meeting was preceded by the 22nd Senior Transport Officials Meeting (STOM) held from February 5 to 7. The Brunei delegation to STOM included Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, Dato Paduka Hj Yussof bin Hj Hassan and senior officials from the ministry and relevant departments under it.

Protocol l is a significant milestone in Asean's efforts to facilitate the transportation of goods within the region by providing unhindered access and movement of goods and vehicles over the designated highway routes in the Asean region.

The fifth package for air transport services covers commitments in agreed sub-sectors and new sub-sectors, which include leasing of aircraft with and without aircrew, and airfreight forwarding services. Asean currently has expanded liberalisation opportunities in aircraft repair and maintenance services; selling and marketing of air transport services and computer reservation system services. The ceremony also included the signing of the protocol to amend the 2002 Asean memorandum of understanding (Mall) on airfreight services by the Asean senior transport officials/ Asean directors-general of Civil Aviation - the first step of implementation towards the full liberalisation of airfreight services.

The 12th Asean Transportation Ministers meeting was officially opened by General Surayud Chulanont (Ret), Prime Minister of Thailand on February 8.

The Asean Transportation Ministers expressed satisfaction on various cooperative programmes in air, land and maritime transport sectors and transport facilitation. The ministers reaffirmed that an efficient, secure and integrated transport system is key in hastening the establishment of the Asean Economic Community and agreed to intensify regional cooperation in enhancing transport facilitation, in promoting multimodal transport infrastructure linkages and connectivity, in facilitating transport and tourism integration, in expanding liberalisation opportunities in the air and maritime transport sectors and in realising a single air transport market in Asean by 2015. This calls for commitment to work closely with all relevant stakeholders and in particular, the private sector associations, the Asean dialogue partners and relevant international organisations and agencies.

The effort under the BIMP-EAGA in advancing its sub-regional transport integration agenda was commended by the ministers. The partnership with Asean dialogue partners and international organisations has produced tangible results and significant progress through the collaborative efforts towards the development of a dynamic, secure and safe Asean transport industry.

The ministers recognised the steady progress of Asean-China transport cooperative partnership as well as the notable progress in the steady implementation of the 21 transport projects under the Asean-Japan transport partnership programme. The ministers also adopted the Asean-Japan transport ministerial declaration of transport security in the 41 ATM-Japan meeting held on February 9.

The next Asean transportation ministers meeting will be held in Singapore. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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