MINISTER of Communications Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat headed the Brunei Darussalam delegation to the 10th BIMP-EAGA Transport Ministers Meeting (10th TMM) in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan of the Republic of the Philippines yesterday.
The minister delivered his opening remarks as the outgoing chair of the TMM since November 2014.
The minister was pleased to note the major achievements made by the Transport Cluster and related working groups through the implementation of various transportation and connectivity projects both bilaterally and in the framework of BIMP-EAGA. He also applauded the dedication of senior transport officials for their relentless hard work.
The meeting was chaired by Catherine Jennifer P Gonzales, the Undersecretary representing the new Chairman, Secretary for Department of Transportation and Communications, Republic of the Philippines.
The finalisation of the draft protocol to amend the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Expansion of Air Linkages is the significant deliverable of the 10th TMM.
Minister of Communications Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat joins hands with other attendees at the 10th TMM
Under this protocol, the designated airlines from BIMP-EAGA among others will be allowed to operate to more points within the sub-region. The designated airlines will also be allowed to operate co-terminalisation services to designated points outside BIMP-EAGA.
Other deliverables reported at the 10th TMM included establishment of new shipping services and the additional RoRo services operating the route between Muara and Labuan.
Other important initiatives currently in the pipeline are the completion of the BIMP-EAGA Ports Information Booklet (Phase 1), the finalisation of the MoU on Non-Convention Sized Ship and efforts to finalise the BIMP-EAGA Travel by Bus Information Booklet, the final development of the BIMP-EAGA Drivers Log Book, creation of a common permit scheme, a third party vehicle insurance coverage for buses and trucks operating under the sub-regional MoUs and possible implementation of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) concept.
BIMP-EAGA’s post-2016 medium-term strategic cooperation framework (2017-2025) was also discussed. The strategic cooperation aims to advance integration in the sub-region and enhanced by greater selectivity, clarity and focus in the selection of priority initiatives.
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