Singapore Aviation Authority Launches Development Initiatives

News

Aviation Daily Feb 01 , 2010 , p. 19
Neelam Mathews

Following a major restructuring of Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore last year, CAAS on Friday unveiled plans to drive the development and growth of the aviation industry in Singapore.

CAAS introduced an Aviation Development Fund (ADF) with a budget of $100 million to fund incentive aviation-related programs in the next five years. The ADF programs will also support broader industry-level initiatives to raise effectiveness and competitiveness through government-industry partnerships.

Two ADF programs of $25 million each – the Aviation Partnership Program and the Aviation Innovation Program – will be launched in April to assist companies in developing new capabilities and encourage innovation. Others that could be rolled out subsequently would support worker development.

CAAS is also entering two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with the Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore) and the Singapore Institute of Aerospace Engineers. These MOUs set the framework for greater collaboration efforts to develop the aviation industry, attract Singaporeans to aviation careers and raise the skills and competencies of employees. Under the MOU with AAIS, both parties will engage in joint efforts to build the aviation cluster in Singapore and promote Singapore as an aviation hub of excellence.

CAAS is also focusing on building a vibrant and sustainable aviation industry that will continue to buttress Singapore’s economy. As an enabler of the aviation sector, CAAS aims to build an environment that helps enterprises thrive, ideas and innovation to flourish, and people to have meaningful and rewarding careers in the industry, said Yap Ong Heng, director general of civil aviation.

CAAS also signed an MOU with the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), IATA, the Singapore Aircargo Agents Association, the Singapore National Shippers Council and the Singapore Logistics Association to collaborate on the integration of the air cargo and logistics supply chain and promote the adoption of paperless air freight process.