VILNIUS — At the start of the Asia-Europe Connect Transport Development Forum, transport ministers from both Lithuania and Belarus have spoken in favor of opening up transport corridors between Europe and the east for economic development.
Belarus continued its efforts to strengthen ties with the European community following the visit of its president, Alexander Lukashenko, in September.
“It is very important to promote efficient transport. Belarus is a country that doesn’t have sufficient resources in road and rail and promoting this is very important,” Belarusian transport minister Ivan Scherbo said. “Our participation here shows Belarus’ openness and the willingness to cooperate in the corridor between east and west.”
The Lithuanian transport minister said that removing bureaucratic and political barriers would boost business.
“Removing operational and administrative problems for companies will make it easier. For example removing unnecessary transport documentation is essential,” Lithuanian minister of transport and communication Eligijus Masiulis said.
“Land routes are not competitive with maritime routes — we should rethink this,” he added.
Masiulis said public-private partnerships would be the way forward in the current economic climate. He also said that the development of better infrastructure would lead to economic growth.
“How do we bring manufacturing closer to the customer and how does industry reduce costs?” he asked.
In the opening speech to the conference, Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius said that developing transport infrastructure between Asia and Europe would aid recovery in the region.
“This conference will address major issues related to infrastructure and services between east and west – contributing to global recovery in economy, particularly important to us in Lithuania. We have to help maintain trade flows,” Kubilius said.
The transport conference in Vilnius is the first of its kind. Ministers and business leaders from all over the world, particularly the Baltic Sea region and China are attending the discussion on Monday and Tuesday.
Transport is one of Lithuania’s major industries representing 12 percent of gross domestic product in 2008.
Recently Chinese companies signaled their intent to participate in tenders for the upgrading of Klaipėda port.
