Monday, July 28, 2008

New masterplan launched in Singapore to boost infocomm security

SINGAPORE, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Singapore on Thursday launched a new 70 million Singapore dollars (about 51.85 million U.S. dollars) masterplan to strengthen the country's infocomm security over the next five years.

"Over the next five years, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), together with the industry, will be investing a further 70 million Singapore dollars into infocomm security programs under this year Master plan," Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan said at the annual infocomm security seminar.

The minister said that while the first Masterplan aimed largelyat providing the public sector with measures to counter infocomm security threats, the second Masterplan (MP2) will expand on that and engage both the public and private sectors even more deeply in securing Singapore's cyber space.

The second Masterplan outlines four strategies to protect Singapore's national infocomm infrastructure and services, namely: hardening national infocomm infrastructure and services; Enhancing infocomm security competencies; Cultivating vibrant infocomm security ecosystem; Increasing international collaboration.

Singapore to use electronic flag displays

As well as making history as Formula One racing's first-ever night race, the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix will also mark the introduction of electronic flag displays to the sport. The new technology, developed by lighting consultants Valerio Maioli S.p.A for the Singapore event, will be used in conjunction with the traditional flag signals waved by marshals.

The innovative system, which meets the FIA's stringent requirements, is the result of more than a decade of development at the Barcelona, Imola and Monza racing circuits. Similar to units used to guide pilots at the runways of major airports, these 'DigiFlags' will convey the different flag colours in a more visible way during the night race.

Thirty five display panels will be situated around the Singapore track, each controlled by handheld panels operated by officials at each marshals' post. In addition to improved visibility, the new system will also provide the race director with an overview of every flag display around the circuit, thereby ensuring the more efficient communication of warnings.

With less than six months to go before the inaugural Singapore event takes place on September 28, the race organisers have been hard work preparing the new street circuit. A week-long demonstration of the lighting system was held from March 29, with a 64-metre stretch lit up with 16 projectors, ahead of its complete installation in August.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Singapore's Sembcorp to operate Brazil shipyard

Singapore's Sembcorp Marine (SCMN.SI: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Thursday its unit has signed an agreement with Brazil's Mac Laren Shipyard to operate a shipyard in the Latin American country.

Under the alliance its unit, Jurong Shipyard, would collaborate with Mac Laren for all future offshore oil and gas projects in Brazil, the company said in a statement.

Analysts said earlier this week that Singapore's offshore oil firms such as Sembcorp could benefit from a large oil find in Brazil by Petrobras

Singapore says favours subway rail link to Malaysia

Singapore said on Thursday it welcomed a suggestion by Malaysia to connect the city-state's subway system to the southern Malaysian state of Johor.

"The link should not be a difficult one and it will bring immediate advantages to both sides," Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo told local reporters, according to transcripts released by his ministry.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim had earlier asked Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to consider connecting the city-state's urban rail network to the Iskandar Malaysia special economic zone.

To be developed over a period of 20 years, Malaysia hopes the 2,200 sq km (850 sq mile) zone in Johor state would be able to generate jobs and investments in projects catering to companies and individuals in wealthy but land-scarce Singapore.

The two countries are separated by a narrow strip of water and connected by two bridges.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Singapore PM meets Malaysian FM on bilateral ties

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met here on Thursday with visiting Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim and both sides reaffirmed the importance of having good neighborly relations between the two countries.

During the meeting, Lee responded positively to a suggestion by Malaysian Johor's Chief Minister Abdul Ghani Othman to link up the urban rails of Singapore and Johor Bahru.

The proposal will be discussed by a joint ministerial committee.

Rais Yatim, who arrived here on Thursday, also discussed with his Singapore counterpart George Yeo the ways of how to further integrate the two countries' economies and exchanged views on recent developments in Malaysia and bilateral relations with Singapore's Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

Rais Yatim told a press conference later Thursday that between the two neighboring countries, there is only a one-way street, that is to forge ahead together for a future within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and to share the good fortunes of what the world will offer.

Singapore is the first stop in a series of introductory visits by Rais Yatim, who was appointed Malaysia's foreign minister after the March general elections.

Singapore's NOL looking at possible Hapag-Lloyd tie-up

A deal could not be ruled out, although nothing has been finalised, The Straits Times quoted NOL's president and chief executive, Thomas Held, as saying.

"We have said all along that we want to play an active role as a consolidator in the shipping industry if this creates value for shareholders and fits in with our long-term strategy," Held was quoted as saying.

"We have to look at all opportunities, so of course we have to look at this," he reportedly said in reference to a possible tie-up with Hapag-Lloyd.

Last month the German leisure and shipping group TUI said it was reviewing strategy and would likely separate its shipping unit Hapag-Lloyd.

TUI said it would examine all options for Hapag-Lloyd, including a spin-off, a merger with a peer or a sale to an investor.

"We need to know what TUI intends to do exactly, as this has not been made clear yet," Held said in The Straits Times.

"We have to see what's the next step happening in Germany."

NOL is 66 percent owned by Singapore state-linked investment firm Temasek Holdings, the Temasek website says.

In February, NOL reported a 44 percent full-year increase in net profit, mainly on improved container shipping volumes and freight rates.

Net profit for the year ended December 28 was 523 million US dollars compared with 364 million a year earlier, the global container shipping and logistics group said.
Hosted by Google
Copyright © 2008 AFP. All rights reserved. More »

Monday, July 7, 2008

Three ministers fly out for Dubai, Singapore

TAXPAYERS have funded air fares for a group of interim cabinet ministers who left yesterday for the 8th Global Travel and Tourism Summit in Dubai.

And although the cost has not been disclosed, Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office Parmesh Chand said the funding for the trip was taken from the official trips budget' of ministries.

On the trip to Dubai are interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, interim Minister for Justice and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Public Enterprises interim Minister Tom Ricketts.

Mr Chand said the trip was budgeted for. "The trips of the ministers are funded by their own ministries and have been duly budgeted for from within Government's budget," Mr Chand said.

The group returns on May 2 after spending two weeks in Dubai and Singapore. The group will be joined in Singapore by Public Service Commission chairman Rishi Ram.

A statement from the interim PM's office said the Dubai summit would focus on the industry's attention to three global issues preserving the world's natural and cultural assets, travel and tourism's role in generating employment and wealth and harnessing growth.

"The Dubai summit will represent the world's most exemplary public-private partnership in the travel and tourism industry.

"The summit will engage invited participants in real dialogue on issues that affect the industry and the world." Commodore Bainimarama is expected to have meetings with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Dubai Portsworld, Emirates Airlines and selected financial and investment institutions.

"On his return the Prime Minister will stopover in Singapore, focusing mainly on learning about the experiences of Singapore in civil service and public sector reforms. As the minister responsible for public service, he will have meetings and discussions to gain as much insight as possible on the reforms Singapore has implemented to bring about improvements and efficiencies in service delivery," said the statement.

Foreign Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau will act as Prime Minister.

Singapore co Tenon eyes buys here

Facilities management start-up Tenon Property Services is casting its net for acquisitions in India just as it enters the country and plans to buy two companies within the next six months. Part of the Manjit Rajain-promoted Mortice Group of Singapore—already present here through security services subsidiary Peregrine Guarding—Tenon has commenced discussions with potential clients as it aims for a turnover of Rs 1,000 crore in three years.

The company will list this year on London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) to raise Rs 100 crore and intends to use part of the funds to finance its acquisitions. "We intend to raise about Rs 100 crore through the AIM listing to fund our activities in India," Tenon CEO Andrew Barket said, adding that an international acquisition is also included in the company's plan. He did not disclose the names of companies Tenon was in discussion with for a possible acquisition.

Tenon's strategy will see it leverage Peregrine Guarding's client base of over 500 companies, including Accenture, Ranbaxy and Maruti Suzuki.

Kontera Tag