``We are looking toward allowing a freer movement of goods vehicles across borders, not just on a bilateral but a multilateral basis,'' Singapore communications minister Mah Bow Tan told a news conference.

Ministers from Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) states endorsed the transport agreement, which is expected to be signed at the sixth ASEAN Summit in Hanoi on December 15-16.

``This means through this agreement we hope to simplify all the procedures, all the rules and regulations that currently exist where we are moving goods across borders,'' Mah said.

``The objective is to minimise and eventually remove all delays and restrictions.''

ASEAN groups Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia and Brunei.

The ministers agreed goods and public vehicle operators within ASEAN would no longer need to send their vehiclesfor checks before they entered a member country as ASEAN would recognise each other's commercial vehicle inspection certificates.

Details were being mapped out and the deal would be operational within this year, he said.

Mah added the ministers had also agreed on a separate ASEAN framework to enhance inter-state transport, which was expected to be finalised and effective by 2000.

The agreement was expected to be sealed before the fifth ASEAN transport ministers meeting in Hanoi in September 1999.

Mah said the ministers had also agreed top priority would be given to forming a task force to look into the millennium bug problem in air traffic control and airport systems.

He said working groups had also been set up to study the liberalisation of air freight services in ASEAN, co-operation in maritime training and development of the cruise ship industry.

Senior transport officials would also work to strengthen port co-operation within ASEAN and develop urban transport and road safety systems.