"The MoU provides for the simplification of procedures and requirement for the transport of dangerous goods in the ASEAN region, using internationally accepted standards and guidelines," Indonesian Minister of Transportation Agum Gumelar told a joint press conference of the ASEAN and Chinese transport ministers.

Agum said that the agreement is one of implementing protocols under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on facilitation of goods in transit.

The ASEAN transport ministers also signed the ASEAN MoU on Air Freight Services as a first step in the full liberalization of airfreight services in the ASEAN region. The MoU allows the designated airlines of each ASEAN member country to operate all-cargo services up to 100 tons weekly with no limitation on frequency and aircraft type.

Agum stated that the ASEAN ministers agreed to work towards the facilitation of transport services covering air and cruise and ferry transport and in supporting safe and efficient land transport in the ASEAN.

"This is an important step as the ASEAN Tourism Agreement, which is scheduled to be signed in Phnom Pen, Cambodia later in the year," he said.

He added that the ministers supported the implementation of the transport infrastructure component of the Initiative of ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan containing six projects with a total budget of 2.5 million US dollars, to assist the newer members of ASEAN -- Cambodia, Lao, Myanmar and Vietnam in the development of highway, inland waterway, railway and multi-capital transport sectors.

(Xinhua News Agency September 21, 2002)