KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is on the right path to strengthening its transportation network and connectivity among Asean member states to boost economic growth, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
The Deputy Prime Minister stated that a more efficient transportation network would facilitate better movement of people, goods, and services throughout the Asean region, including China.
"Asean is a big family and is a success story. We have to now see how to strengthen relations between Asean member states in which the transportation sector plays the most vital role," he said when met after launching the 30th Asean Transport Ministers meeting here on Thursday. (Nov 21).
He added that a more efficient transportation network would catalyse economic growth in the Asean region.
"This is because it would increase demand for manpower, which will surely lead to a spillover effect that will benefit the local communities," he said.
The first Asean Express cargo rail service departed from Kelana Jaya inland depot in Selangor on June 27 and arrived at its destination in Chongqing, China, on July 11.
The RM10bil RTS, which would connect Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru to Woodlands in Singapore, is scheduled to be completed by Jan 1, 2027.
Earlier in his speech, Fadillah said that Asean has achieved several milestones since its founding in improving regional integration through initiatives such as the Asean Single Window, Asean Cross-Border Transport Agreements and Asean Highway Network.
He said that the liberalisation of air transport under the Asean Open Sky Policy has also fostered closer economic integration and the expansion of aviation businesses.
Fadillah said that Asean must keep up with the global megatrends.
"We should prioritise sustainability while addressing environmental issues.
"This includes digital transformation and utilising Artificial Intelligence (AI)," he added.
In his welcoming speech, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said there is still much work to be done among Asean member states.
"Creating an efficient and resilient infrastructure in the face of climate change demands concrete action," he said.
Loke said that it is important that Asean transport ministers continue discussions to better understand the common interest shared among member states linked to the transportation sector.
He said this includes regional power grids to support Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption, the cruise industry to strengthen tourism connectivity and uniform highway design standards to support a broader highway network.
Also present at the two-day event were transport ministers and representatives for the respective 10 Asean member states.
