A newly opened Roll on-Roll off (RoRo) route is expected to boost trade and tourism between the Philippines and Indonesia, said the top leaders of the two Southeast Asian nations.
ABS-CBN News reported that a ferry route connecting Philippines to Indonesia was launched Sunday.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo were present during the launch.
President Widodo drew parallels between him and Duterte, saying both of them were local government executives before becoming heads of state.
“President Duterte and I sincerely believe that people in the outer regions are just as smart, strong and resourceful as the rich people in the capital cities. They only need one thing and one thing only. And that is to be given a chance,” Widodo was quoted as saying in his speech.
Duterte said the route is just the first of many such transport systems as the ASEAN moves towards a single market and production base.
“This route shall be the first of many routes to be formed for the international Ro-Ro network envisioned by our ASEAN leaders to provide more accessibility and opportunities for our countries,” Duterte was quoted as saying.
“This route will help us realize our collective goal of creating an integrated regional market that will complement our own infrastructure of modernization program,” he added.
The report said shipping time is expected to go down from 5 weeks to 2-3 days due to the new route connecting Indonesia to the Philippines and vice versa, bringing down supply chain rates.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
