KUALA LUMPUR TRANSPORT STRATEGIC PLAN
( ASEAN TRANSPORT STRATEGIC PLAN) 2016-2025 one vision one identity one community
corridors( ideally matched to those selected for the logistics database initiative) in ASEAN and then understanding“ chokepoints” in the supply chain processes related to these corridors. Measures can then be initiated to address these barriers, such as establishing a mechanism to support and implement border management measures to manage cross-border movement of passengers and goods, e. g. procedures of border management( customs, immigration, quarantine or CIQ); enhancing and creating procedures, formalities and practices in border management and ensuring their harmonisation to the highest extent possible; and joint border management in pursuing“ One Single Inspection and Processing Point”. This should also consider both business-tobusiness( B2B) and business-to-consumer( B2C) goods flow in light of the increasing importance of e-commerce in the region. The identification of chokepoints would be based on existing data sources( e. g. the World Bank’ s LPI), as well as input from private sector and Government officials.
An agreed action plan would then be developed with the logistics co-ordinating councils( or equivalent bodies) for each of the ASEAN Member States involved in the prioritised trade routes to deal with the identified chokepoints. A
range of outcome and input indicators would be established to track performance on these action plans. Initially, these outcome indicators would draw on existing data sources( e. g. the World Economic Forum’ s Enabling Trade Index, or ETI). But over time this would be replaced with more specific and granular information from the ASEAN logistics database( described above). The input indicators would be developed to track progress on the specific initiatives developed in the corridor action plan. Forums would be organised, with key officials from the logistics co-ordinating councils( or other relevant bodies) and representatives from the private sector invited to be present, to share lessons and best practices learnt during the process.
The ASEAN Strategic Transport Plan 2016- 2025 intends to establish a formal platform / cooperation mechanism for exchanging information on implementation of regional cross-border operations. Given the variety of different working groups engaged in logistics, MPAC 2025 can play a critical co-ordinating role to support implementation.
Conclusion
ASEAN will be celebrating its Golden Anniversary on August 8, 2017. Malaysia at the centre of the ASEAN Region has played many leading roles in the past five decades as one of its founding members especially in the ASEAN Economic Community.
The concerted move by the global caucus such as APEC, ASEAN and Belt-and-Road Initiative in pushing for more co-ordinated and integrated forms of connectivity across the greater region will mean more opportunities for the engineering fraternity especially in infrastructure connectivity.
REFERENCE
APEC: APEC Connectivity Blueprint 2015-2025 Belt and Road Forum 2017
Acknowledgement The contents of this article on ASEAN are extracted from the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 issued by The ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta.
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