Avation plc thrives amid city-state's successful graft battle

Singapore

WHEN the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) granted London-listed Avation plc a tax incentive under the Aircraft Leasing Scheme (ALS) in 2014, the company was already won over by the city-state's zero tolerance approach to graft.

Avation, a Singapore-headquartered commercial aircraft lessor which focuses on turboprop and jet aircraft in the Asia-Pacific and European region, liked the assurance that, once an investment is made, the company would not be blackmailed into providing bribes.

"This is why I love Singapore," Jeff Chatfield, the affable founder and executive chairman of Avation, told The Business Times (BT).

Mr Chatfield, a permanent resident of Singapore,…