Asean transportation sector to move forward with KLSTP

KUALA LUMPUR: The 21st Asean Transport Ministers Meeting (ATM) will focus on the realisation of the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Action Plan (KLTSP) 2016-2025, in assisting the establishment of the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the action plan, which is scheduled to be finalised tomorrow, will highlight three main components, namely Asean single aviation market, Asean single shipping market and the issue of greenhouse gases.
He said the KLSTP is a total master plan to move forward in the Asean transportation sector, especially in connectivity and working together with China, Korea and Japan, to further enhance economic growth.
"We'll also talk on the open sky policy, on how we can further enhance as we think we would be able to further open the aviation market." he said after the opening ceremony of the 21st ATM meeting at PWTC today.
Liow said the environment issue is also an important aspect to the meeting, where they will discuss how to have sustainable energy and ensure pollution from transportation can be further reduced.
"Energy production is still one of the biggest contributor to gas emission at about 54.9.%, but transport sector alone account for 22.9%. Malaysia and Asean countries will work together to reduce the emission.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said improved connectivity and transport networks comprising of land, air and maritime routes throughout the region will contribute significantly to the growth of Asean.
"These will also enrich economic integration and the competitiveness of Asean member countries," he said, adding that transportation is the key to enhancing regional cooperation and people-to-people connectivity.
He said the establishment of the AEC by the end of December is also crucial as it will bring abundant business opportunities for trade, investment and bilateral relations among Asean nations.
The 21st ATM meeting is the first to be held in Malaysia since they hosted the 7th meeting 14 years ago in 2001.