KUALA LUMPUR: A more integrated Asean in terms of logistics and transport will be among Malaysia’s targets when the country assumes the Asean chairmanship next year, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said logistics and transport also play an important role towards greater economic cooperation.
“Through seamless connectivity, it helps trade to flow both between and within Asean.
“In the current global situation, we also have to trade more within ourselves and utilise our position as a bloc.
“With 10 countries and a population of over 700 million, the rest of the world will look at us as an important part of the world,” he told a press conference after the signing of Asean Protocol 5 on Own Stopover Rights between Points within the Territory of any Asean Member States on Friday (Nov 22).
The signing is in conjunction with the 30th Asean Transport Ministers and 58th Senior Transport Officials Meetings.
Loke said there is also growing interest by the European Union, China, South Korea, Japan and even the United States towards Asean.
“During this meeting, we also had dialogues with the EU business council and a luncheon with the US-Asean business council as well.
“This shows that they look at Asean as a major market and economic bloc for them.
“Malaysia will continue playing its role to ensure a more integrated Asean and one pivotal role is creating better connectivity,” he said.
Separately, Loke said there is a need to reduce red tape and bureaucracy among Asean member states.
“We want to impress upon each member state that any move will be a win-win for anyone and the region.
“This is where Malaysia plays an important role in providing leadership and convincing member states that the way forward is a more integrated Asean community,” he said.
