ID :
336443
Fri, 07/25/2014 - 12:36
Auther :

Thailand hosts “ASEAN Port Symposium 2014”

BANGKOK, July 25 (TNA) - Thailand’s Laem Chabang Port organized the “ASEAN Port Symposium 2014” in the country's eastern seaside Chon Buri Province on Thursday, aimed to discuss and determine regional sea trade direction and enhance regional trans-shipping capacity, as well as to boost ASEAN competitiveness on the world market. The symposium, held at the eastern Thai deep seaport and the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel Pattaya, was attended by port operators from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) who play significant roles in ASEAN seaport industries. According to the Managing Director of Laem Chabang Port, Lieutenant Sutthinan Hatthawong, logistics costs are high currently; so, it is necessary for ASEAN member countries to develop regional connectivity, in which they are provided with and can utilize various methods of shipping, reduce trade costs and increase their trade opportunities with the 10-member bloc's dialogue partners, including China, Japan, India, the European Union (EU) and the United States. Meanwhile, Glenn Kong Wai Keong, General Director of Vietnam International Container Terminals, suggested the first priority is government-to-government connection in setting mutual policies and promoting procedures to facilitate regional trade, followed by encouraging trade expansion among ASEAN member countries to further utilize regional ports and related facilities. Among ASEAN members, Singapore and Malaysia are recognized as leaders in port facilities, while some other member countries, namely Cambodia and Myanmar, do not have a regular shipping route due to their small amount of shipping containers. Shuttle feeders are, therefore, operating in such countries to ship goods to regional hub-feeders, like Singapore and Hong Kong, reflecting sound sea trade relations and interdependence among regional economies. (TNA)

X