MALAYSIA'S ROADMAP FOR LOGISTICS SERVICES A GAIN FOR PBGEC

From Linda Khoo

NANNING, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Roadmap for Development of the
Logistics Services Industry will see a flourish of trade opportunities in the
Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation(PBGEC) member countries, Deputy Minister of
Transport, Jelaing Mersat said Saturday.

He said the roadmap commissioned by the Malaysian Logistics Council and the
Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister's Department contained
recommendations on improving performance of ports, shipping, land transport and
freight transportation.

He said the Ministry of Transport Malaysia would play an active role in the
roll-out of the plan which includes strategic initiatives to strengthen capital
capacity and also to review and revamp regulatory and intuitional framework and
related 'soft issues' such as information technology, manpower ad others
involving the transportation and logistics sector in the country.

"The ministry will also look into legislations and international conventions
involving shipping, liability regimes, air and surface transport to strengthen
our governance, regulatory functions and ensure international compliance.

"With the roadmap, the transportation networks - road, railway, air, ports
will be connected within the Asean and PBG countries. This will further develop
investment, trade and economic cooperation in the region and form cluster of
industries, accelerate economic growth in the PBGEC," he told Bernama here
Saturday.

Jelaing attended the 6th PBGEC Forum, which conluded here on Friday.

He said Malaysia would play its role in transportation infrastructure to
improve the connectivity between Asean and China.

"We are doing everything that we can to speed up the connection, such as the
Singapore-Kunming Rail Link."

The roadmap for the Development of the Logistics Services Industry is an
Asean economic Blueprint signed by all Asean leader at the Asean Summit, which
was attended by the former Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2007.

Meanwhile, Jelaing said the Transport Ministry would evaluate and implement
relevant strategic initiatives under the roadmap which envisions the development
of world class freight logistics system, including strengthening the role of
ports and shipping to support the country's economic growth and development.

"We will liaise and consult with various stakeholders in the industry
through the focus in moving the agenda on freight logistics forward," he said.

On maritime cooperation, Jelaing said China-Asean Maritime Consultation
Mechanism is in the midst of exploring cooperative opportunities.

Under the mechanism, he said both countries conducted numerous activities,
including the meeting on Tide, Current, and Wind Measurement Project of Malacca
and Singapore Straits (March and April) and the Workshop on Port Facility
Security in July.