What does ASTP mean in UNCLASSIFIED

The ASEAN Strategic Transport Plan (ASTP) is an initiative of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to promote regional integration and transport. It seeks to create an efficient, competitive and equitable transport system within the member countries.

The primary objectives of ASTP are to improve connectivity both physical and virtual among its member nations by investing in infrastructures, developing technology and providing regulatory support.

ASTP aims to provide integrated infrastructural investments such as roads, railways, ports and airports; investments in information technologies such as e-commerce systems; development in services such as logistics which coordinate with other modes of transport; establishment of necessary regulations for international safety standards;and capacity building initiatives such as training programmes for operators, technicians, etc.

Benefits from ASTP include improved mobility within the region through better access to markets given increased transportation options; enhanced cultural exchanges with more frequent travel between member countries; increased competition which will lead to lower costs for businesses; reduction in carbon emissions caused by different modes of transportation being replaced by one integrated mode; growth in non-oil revenues generated from effective transportation investment opportunities; increase in employment due to large scale infrastructure development projects provided by ASTP.

The implementation of theAST P plan will be carried out by relevant government agencies or private companies working together with public sector institutions such as ministries or departments responsible for transport operations at a national level across all ten ASEAN members states.