​STATEMENT BY 

His Excellency Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong
Minister of Communications 

Manila, Philippines 
6th November 2008

His Excellency 
Mr. Chairman, His Excellency General Leandro R. Mendoza 
Secretary for the Department of Transport and Communications for the Republic of the Philippines, 
His Excellencies ASEAN Ministers of Transport and 
ASEAN Secretariat, 
Distinguished Delegates, 
Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is a great honour and privilege for me to join with all our ASEAN Transport Ministers here in this beautiful city of Manila, the Republic of Philippines for the 14th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meetings (14th ATM).

On behalf of Brunei Darussalam’s delegation, I would like to express our deepest appreciation for the Government and the people of the Republic of Philippines, the Department of Transport and Communications in particular, for the gracious hospitality extended to me and my delegation since our arrival.

My warm congratulation to H.E Mr. Leandro R. Mendoza Secretary for the Department of Transport and Communications for the Republic of Philippines on your election as the Chairman and to H.E Mr Ho Nghia Dzung, Minister of Transport for Vietnam as Vice Chairman for the 14th ATM. I am confident that with your able chairmanship, we will be able to make significant progress towards improving transport cooperation that will deepen ASEAN integration and enhance the region’s sustainable development, stability, safety, security and prosperity.

May I also convey my highest appreciation and thanks to H.E. Mr. Raymond Lim, Minister of Transport, Singapore as the outgoing Chairman for your excellent chairmanship of the 13th ATM in Singapore last year.

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen

Since the inception of the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP) 2004-2010 during the 10th ATM meeting and our ASEAN Transport Action Plan (ATAP) 2005-2010, we have achieved notable progress in the implementation of the AEC Blueprint and its Transport Strategic Schedule but we still need to work harder towards achieving our objective of which 2008 is the first year of implementation. We look forward to the signing of three ASEAN transport cooperation agreements namely the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalisation of Air Freight Services, the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on Air Service and the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Goods in Transit. The signing of these three agreements will be a significant headway and achievement in ASEAN transport sector. The continuing liberalization however, requires close cooperation, commitment and support of the transport community to further realize our collective vision of a highly-connected ASEAN. It would contribute significantly to the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community as a single market and production base characterized by the free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labour and freer flow of capital.

I would also like to share with your Excellency on what BIMP-EAGA has done towards integrating and liberalizing our transport sector. BIMP-EAGA has signed two memoranda at the sideline of the 13th ATM Meeting held last year, namely the MoU on Cross Border Movement of Commercial Buses and Coaches; and the MoU on Establishing and Promoting Efficient and Integrated Sea Linkages. The inter-state bus services for the island of Borneo have been launched in phases since September 2008. The appointed operators from each member states would commence their fleet services after finalizing cross-border formalities. Yet another one that is no less important- the MoU on Cross-Border Transport of Goods is also in the pipe line and currently undergoing formulation. This MOU will allow heavy commercial vehicles carrying transit goods to load and unload goods through set routes. It would serve as a test-bed measure for the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Goods in Transit and ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Inter-State Transport in BIMP-EAGA sub-region.

As we work even closer with one another, we should strengthen our cooperation in transport sectors with our dialogue partners such as our commitment towards enhancing cooperation activities under the ASEAN-China initiatives and the ongoing development of joint projects and activities  under the ASEAN-Japan Transport Partnership. Our cooperation with China has gained momentum notably with the possible conclusion of aviation transport agreement before 2010, and the implementation of projects under maritime and port administration mechanism. I also note with great interest on the possible endorsement on ASEAN-India Aviation Cooperation Framework in this meeting. Undoubtedly, as we move forward to intensify our cooperation with dialogue partners, there is a real need for ASEAN members to have an ASEAN caucus at the STOM level to streamline our coordination prior to our meeting with our dialogue partners. In this way, we would be able to consolidate our position and expect a more fruitful outcome in the future.

Before I conclude, I would like to convey my deepest appreciations once again to you, Mr. Chairman for the excellent arrangements made for this meeting.​