AirAsia to fly new routes in BIMP-EAGA

The 5th BIMP-EAGA Transport, Infrastructure and ICT Development (TIICTD) Cluster meeting ended yesterday with members agreeing to enhance cooperation to further improve and accelerate transport infrastructure development in the region.

On the status of the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Expansion of Air Linkages in BIMP-EAGA, Air Asia is expected to operate the Kuching - Bandar Seri Begawan and Kota Kinabalu - Bandar Seri Begawan routes.

Meanwhile, Batavia Airlines will reportedly serve the Pontianak to Bandar Seri Begawan route while retaining the existing route between Pontianak and Kuching.

In order to promote air transportation in BIMP-EAGA, member countries have also agreed to exchange information on the status of their airports towards the compliance of ICAO safety and security requirements.

The meeting recognised the Brunei International Airport as one of the gateways to BIMP-EAGA. The full implementation of the MoU will support Brunei Darussalam's vision to become a hub in the sub-region.

With regards to the MoU on Cross-Border Movement of Commercial Buses and Coaches, a task force will be set up to facilitate the implementation of the MoU. Scheduled cross-border buses are expected to commence operation from June 2008.

Following the directive of the BIMP-EAGA leaders at the 4th BIMP-EAGA Summit held in Singapore in November 2007, the body has proposed to conclude an MoU to pilot-test the Asean Framework Agreements on goods in transit, interstate and multimodal transport. Further to this, member countries will formulate guidelines for the early implementation of transportation of goods in transit in BIMP-EAGA.

With regards to sea linkages, the car ferry services between Muara and Menumbok and Muara and Labuan are expected to commence service before the end of 2008. In addition, several capacity building programmes in respect to transportation have been planned in 2008.

BIMP-EAGA has recognised transport as one of the key enablers to achieve its objective to increase trade, investment and tourism in the sub-region.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin