Philippines Wants To Invest In Sea Transport

Manado, N Sulawesi, June 12 (Antara) - The Philippines wants to cooperate with the North Sulawesi regional administration to invest in project to open sea transport between Davao and Bitung. "A Philippine investor , Rodriguez, will operate roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) ship between Davao-Bitung-Davao," North Sulawesi Governor Sinyo H Sarundajang said here on Tuesday. Sinyo said operation of the shipping route would contribute to ASEAN connectivity and North Sulawesi as the Indonesian gate facing the Asia Pacific region would gain from the development of the route. "This is a positive investment as it would contribute to economic development of both sides," he said. He said ASEAN has a joint project called "ASEAN Ro-Ro Network and Short Sea Shipping" as part of three main priorities of "ASEAN Connectivity" to be completed in 2015. He said the project is fully supported by state port operators PT Pelindo I, II, III and IV. "The ASEAN connectivity is aimed at expanding connection among the member countries to be able to grow together," he said.