As part of a number of concurrent engagements by UIC in Asia in early November, Mr JPL ,DG UIC, gave a address to an audience of ASEAN region CEOs and 150 participants from ASEAN countries on 10th November 2009 covering issues of demographics, rail business growth, environment, sustainable transport and efficient energy utilisation in the Asian Region.

The role of UIC Asia Region was explained and the presence of the UIC bureau at Delhi under the management of Mr Mukul Mathur was highlighted as UIC’s strong interest and commitment to support UIC Asia members to meet these challenges.

The occasion was also taken on 9th November by Mr Loubinoux and Mr Dalton, UIC Asia Regional Co-ordinator, to pay an official vist to Mr Nguyen Huu Bang, Chairman of the Board and General Director of Vietnam Railways to explore how UIC could, through its regional structure and headquarters support, lend further assitance to Vietnam Railways at a time of rapid development of their rail system.

Mr Bang and his senior managment team outlined the key topics of technical developement. standardisation and training as priorities issues for his company and thanked UIC for the suport they already received through UIC’s joint initiative with KORAIL in organising the training courses at the UIC/IRaTCA centre in Korea , where some of the employees of Vietnam Railways have already received training.

Mr Bang aslo thanked UIC for their assistance in organising the 2nd ANTC Seminar ( Asian Network of Training Centres) of which Ms. Han Nhu Quynh, Director of the International Relations Department of Vietnam Railways, is the vice -Chairperson.

The ANTC Confernce ran alongside the ASEAN CEO Conference from 11th-12th November. Mr Loubinoux, Mr Dalton and Mr Mathur will also addressed this seminar.