ASEAN transport ministers gather in Malaysia hinh anh 1Transport ministers pose for a photo at the event (Photo: VNA)

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - The 21st ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting (ATM-21) and related meetings kicked off in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on November 5.

Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang led a Vietnamese delegation to the event.

In his opening remark, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said transport plays a crucial role in developing ASEAN into a key economy in the world.

The formation of the ASEAN Community at the end of this year will mark an important milestone, he said, adding that improving regional connectivity via land, air and maritime transport will make a remarkable contribution to the group’s evolution.

Promoting such current connectivity mechanisms as ASEAN Open Skies, Single Aviation Market, ASEAN Highway Network, and Singapore-Kunming Rail Link as well developing seaports and logistics will help increase trade and tourism on both regional and global scales, as part of the ASEAN Connectivity master plan.

The liberalisation of aviation in ASEAN will be a catalyst for the regional economic growth in 2030, he said.

Malaysian Minister of Transport Liow Tiong Lai told the press that the ATM-21 will touch upon key issues in the field, including the Kuala Lumpur transport strategic action plan for 2016-2025. The 10-year scheme aims to improve the sector’s operational efficiency, especially an ASEAN single market on civil aviation and goods delivery.-VNA

VNA