MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS

In the next five years the Ministry of Communications will develop Singapore as a major Communications Centre. Modern, efficient and comprehensive services in radio and satellite telecommunications, air transportation and shipping will be provided at competitive prices.

Civil Aviation

Government's aviation policy is designed to attract both freight and tourist traffic to Singapore.

Additional facilities at Paya Lebar Airport will be constructed to meet projected growth in cargo and passenger traffic over the next few years, pending the opening of Changi Airport in mid-1980. All procedures will be simplified, streamlined and rationalised. An active promotion programme will be undertaken to publicise Singapore as an airfreight transhipment centre.

Singapore will be developed as an airfreight centre to fully utilise the facilities and services available at Changi International Airport in the early 1980s. A liberal and conducive atmosphere will be created for international air carriers to operate in Singapore.

Telecommunications

Singapore's position as a major telecommunications centre will be further enhanced by expansion of the Sentosa Earth Station facilities and laying of new submarine cables to neighbouring, especially ASEAN countries. International subscriber dialing and telex services will be extended to more subscribers. The international "teleconference" service providing two-way audio-visual contact will be introduced in 1978 - 1979.

The domestic telephone network will be expanded. The target by 1981 is 788,000 telephones giving a telephone density of 32 telephones per 100 population. This will be roughly double the present density of 16.4 telephones per 100 population.

Maritime and Port Services

The Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) now has 5 gateways handling 14.85 million tons of general cargo in 1976, an increase of 16% over the previous year.

New cargo transportation and shipping technologies and mechanised methods of warehousing, cargo handling and storage are being developed to regain Singapore's position as the regional warehousing and transhipment centre.

The main area for redevelopment is at Telok Ayer Basin where, because of reclamation for the Marina Centre, the whole pattern of lighterage and cargo handling and the transportation and transhipment of regional goods will undergo significant change. Measures are being worked to enable the lighterage trade to continue not only in the Singapore River but at Pasir Panjang as well with the same low costs, so that Singapore's competitive position will be maintained.

The Singapore World Trade Centre (SWTC) at the new 12-storey Singapore Maritime Centre when completed will link Singapore-based businesses with more than 90 other world trade centres in 40 countries all over the world. New trading methods and systems with special communications links and backup services such as computer data banks will be provided to service these world traders.

Road Transportation

The Singapore Bus Service has made great improvement in the last two years. The good work must continue and standards improved. Depots and other maintenance back-up facilities are being built to reduce breakdowns to a minimum.

Meanwhile the Government is studying a comprehensive transportation and land use plan for a rail-based Mass Rapid Transit System. Pending its introduction, SBS will be the mainstay of Singapore's public transport system.

Postal Services

Increased mechanisation in the sorting and delivery of letters and parcels will be installed. Mails must always be delivered safely and promptly. In many countries, trade has suffered because of inefficiencies in the postal system. This must not be allowed to happen in Singapore.

The new Postal Complex at Jalan Eunos will incorporate modern mechanised equipment. 30 new post offices will be built in new housing estates, industrial estates, and newly completed urban centres in the next five years. More postal agencies and posting boxes will also be set up for the convenience of the general public.

LIM KIM SAN Minister for Communications