Enhancing ASEAN Transport Connectivity

ASEAN countries have reached many agreements on transport to create a regulatory framework for cross-border transport by road, sea, air and other means. ASEAN Multilateral Agreements on Air Services, ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalisation of Air Freight Services, ASEAN Roadmap towards unified and competitive sea transport, and other protocols have created a framework for transport infrastructure connectivity in ASEAN. Vietnam is actively engaged in this joint programme.

Under the approved scheme, Vietnam will actively propose and build ASEAN plans and objectives for transport development and connection beyond 2015 based on achievements in the 2011- 2015 period.

 

Regarding transport infrastructure connectivity, in the coming time, Vietnam will complete road transport infrastructure connection (ASEAN Road Network), build short roads for Singapore- Kunming Railway Line in the territory of Vietnam, including Loc Ninh - Ho Chi Minh City section and Mu Gia - Tan Ap - Vung Ang section, upgrade and modernise North-South railway line, study the construction of Lao Cai - Hanoi - Haiphong Railway to link with China and railways into Lach Huyen Port, Hai Phong City.

Besides, Vietnam will improve the capacity of inland waterway transport with Cambodia, serve as a leading coordinator for construction and implementation of ASEAN waterway system development master plan adopted by Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, adjust and supplement the list of Vietnamese dry ports needed to be developed to fit the ASEAN logistics development plan.

 

On transport connectivity, the scheme specifies tasks to effectively enforce the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Goods in Transit, the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Transnational Transport, and the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Multimodal Transport, and to complete effective signing and execution of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Cross‐border Transport Passengers by Road. Vietnam needs to perfect the National Single Window mechanism to link with the ASEAN Single Window and carry out ASEAN’s common goals on intra-regional cooperation and cooperation with dialogue partners, with ASEAN being the centre.

 

To achieve the above tasks, the scheme introduced seven solutions, including increased investment in transport infrastructure system, cross-border transport connectivity, transport services improvement, resources mobilisation for connectivity, human resource development, enhanced safety in road transportation, traffic; aviation and maritime safety, and improvement of institutions and capacity for international integration.

 

In an attempt to improve road traffic service quality, enterprises have been encouraged to renovate and modernise road traffic vehicles while road quality should be ensured to comply with ASEAN member countries’ road traffic standards.

 

Recognising the importance of human resources, the scheme underscored development requirements for ASEAN integration and transport connectivity, focus on developing crew and pilot forces, provision of multimodal and logistics transport services of international standard and harmonisation of training standards among member states, and mutual recognition of certificates and diplomas.

 

In addition, it is necessary to strengthen ASEAN cooperation policies, effectively carry out technical training support projects of international organisations, partnership dialogues for expertise development and upgrading, build up the capacity of logistics service providers LSPs) in Vietnam and build a national LSP certification system.

To boost international integration capacity, Vietnam will also review and consider amending and supplementing legal provisions and administrative procedures to match international and ASEAN laws and practices, domestically legalise international commitments to transport; intensify inspection and supervision of commitment and task implementation of Vietnam; and improve technical safety and environmental protection standards.

 

The potential for cooperation among ASEAN countries is huge. Transport cooperation between Vietnam and ASEAN countries in particular and among ASEAN members will produce good results contributing to achieving the goal of Community ASEAN Economic Community by 2015 and further developing ASEAN. The scheme ratified by the Prime Minister will realise those goals and enhance Vietnam’s competitiveness and integration.