US$70.8 million CAAS fund to expand Singapore aviation

THE Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has unveiled plans to boost the development and growth of Singapore's aviation industry.

As part of the plan, CAAS said it will be collaborating with industry partners to help them keep abreast of new regulations, processes and technology. CAAS will also work with industry partners on programmes that are designed to better profile careers in the industry and help individuals acquire new skills and raise their competencies.

Transport Minister Raymond Lim said CAAS is introducing an Aviation Development Fund (ADF) with a budget of S$100 million (US$70.8 million) over the next five years to promote and develop the aviation sector, a CAAS statement said.

Two ADF programmes of S$25 million each for the next five years will be launched in April 2010. These are the Aviation Partnership Programme and the Aviation Innovation Programme. Under the Aviation Partnership Programme, CAAS will partner the industry to drive the adoption of new industry-wide standards or processes to enhance its overall productivity, effectiveness and competitiveness.

The Aviation Innovation Programme will provide assistance to companies to develop new capabilities, encourage innovation and build aviation knowledge in Singapore.

CAAS is also singing two Memoranda of Understanding with the Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore) (AAIS) and the Singapore Institute of Aerospace Engineers (SIAE).

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." Through collaboration between CAAS and SIAE, programmes will be rolled out to raise the profile of careers in the aviation industry, cultivate interest in aviation among youths and enhance the professional development of personnel in the industry.

CAAS said it is "championing the implementation of the e-freight@Singapore programme which aims to integrate the air cargo and logistics supply chain, promote the adoption of paperless air freight process, develop and improve industry capabilities and enhance data accuracy."

An MoU has also been signed by CAAS and the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Singapore Aircargo Agents Association (SAAA), the Singapore National Shippers' Council (SNSC) and the Singapore Logistics Association (SLA), to jointly collaborate on the e-freight@Singapore project.

Source: www.schednet.com