An agreement to build a rail link between Armenia and Vietnam is expected to be signed next month. If successful, the railway line will run alongside the Silk Road linking capital cities, ports and industrial centres. At the moment individual rail tracks mean passengers have to embark on many changes to travel the length of the road. The new measure intends to result in one long rail journey. It is intended to encourage international trade and tourism.
The Trans-Asian Railway Network Agreement will be signed between November 6-11 in Busan in South Korea. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific is overseeing the initiative. The UN believed the deal was crucial for landlocked countries whose access to world markets is heavily dependent on links to international ports.
Twelve of the world”s 30 landlocked countries are in Asia. UNESCAP commission executive secretary Kim Hak-Su commented: ”With 60% of the world”s population generating 26% of the world”s gross domestic product, Asia”s demand for efficient transport is greater than at any time in its history.”
A working group proposed under the agreement will be a forum for transport policy.