He said rail connectivity, particularly to link up the railway network from Peninsular Malaysia to Thailand, Laos and China, has been a long-term vision of ASEAN, adding if the network is developed, a pan-Asian railway will be realized, helping reach Central Asia and even Europe via China’s Kunming.

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At the 57th ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting (Photo: Bernama)

Telling a press conference after opening the 57th ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting (STOM) on June 11, he said there has not been much progress on the Kunming-Singapore railway network even though there are already railway lines connecting these countries.

Besides, ASEAN member states must iron out issues regarding regulations and cross-border customs clearance for the region to have a streamlined journey for goods and passengers in the future, he highlighted.

The three-day ASEAN STOM is attended by delegates headed by secretaries-general/permanent secretaries from ASEAN member states and ASEAN dialogue partners, namely China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the U.S.

Earlier, in his speech, Loke said STOM has been a valuable and effective platform for ASEAN members to deliberate on matters concerning the unique challenges and opportunities within the transportation sector in the region.

Source: VNA