RI, Australia Continue To Cooperate In Transport Sector

Jakarta, Dec 12 (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase their cooperation in the transport sector. "Cooperation is important to develop safe and efficient transport systems. This will ultimately result in economic growth and national development," said Anthony Albanese, Australia�s Transportation Minister, on Wednesday. The MoU was signed by the Indonesian Transportation Minister, Evert Erenst Mangindaan and Anthony Albanese. The MoU will expire after five years. "The MoU is a formal mechanism to implement various measures to enhance the safety of air, land and sea transport systems, under the Indonesian Transportation Safety Assistance Package (ITSAP)," he explained. Albanese said steps will be taken to enhance ship-tracking devices and maritime satellite communication. In addition, training will be conducted for Search and Rescue (SAR) teams, and discussions will be held between the National and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). "Australia and Indonesia have been cooperating since 1995, and Australia has trained as many as 1000 Indonesian experts to develop safety investigation systems and maritime system port control. Australia has also provided training in Non-Convention Ship Standard Development (NCVS) and flight operations above tropical mountains,� he said. "I hope that we will be able to improve the safety and security of the transport sector by applying and adhering to international standards," he added.