Press Release No. G/46/00

15 November 2000

BANGKOK(United Nations Information Services) -- Access to transport and communication services is a prerequisite for countries to participate in the globalization process said Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of ESCAP in his opening statement to a United Nations' high level meeting which began today.

“Unfortunately, in the Asia and Pacific region a range of infrastructure and institutional barriers still inhibit competitiveness of products and services in the global markets. Provision of truly cost effective transport linkages therefore remains a policy priority,” said Mr. Kim Hak-Su.

The Third Session of the Committee on Transport, Communications, Tourism and Infrastructure Development is being organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) from 15-17 November 2000 at the United Nations Conference Centre.

The Committee Meeting was inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, Minister of Transport and Communications, the Royal Thai Government who said that transport has played a central role in facilitating the integration of ESCAP regional economies into a multilateral trading system.

“In Thailand, under the Eighth National Economic and Social Development Plan, policy attention has been given to accelerate development of air, land and sea transport routes and networks. By upgrading maritime transport and port capacities, we are helping our products to remain competitive in the global market,” said the Minister.

The Minister informed the Meeting that his Government has been promoting a wider use of inland water transport as it is an environmentally friendly transport option and that Thailand had signed the Quadrangle Agreement on Commercial Navigation on the Langcang-Mekong River with China, Lao PDR and Myanmar last April.

“We are all very optimistic that this latest development in inland water transport will provide new opportunities for collaboration, increased economic development and further promote eco-tourism,” said the Thai Minister.

In the Tourism sector, the Minister informed the Meeting that in 1999, more than eight million tourists visited Thailand. Following the success of earlier initiatives, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched a new campaign titled “Amazing Thailand 2000: Enhancement of the next Thousand Years” to further promote the tourism industry.

The potential economic benefits of tourism are clear and many regional countries are already collecting substantial foreign currency earnings from the sector. However, there is a need to ensure sustainability in the process of development. If not, the pristine beaches, forests, mountains and our cultural heritage, which provide the attraction for tourists, will be destroyed forever, reminded Mr Kim.

Participants will discuss changes that are taking place in liner shipping and ports sector that are making it increasingly difficult for developing countries in the region to keep pace, for their shipping lines to remain competitive and for their ports to upgrade their status. They will also consider issues related to multimodal transport and logistics and the barrier which is still need to be overcome if the industry is to meet the expectations of shippers and particularly foreign buyers.

Representatives from over 25 member and associate member countries and other states as well as representatives from other United Nations bodies and specialized agencies, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations are attending the Meeting.