Singapore Budget 2018: New R&D programmes for aviation, maritime industries; expansion of robotics scheme

THE government will launch an Aviation Transformation Programme (ATP), and a Maritime Transformation Programme (MTP) this year, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Monday.

The government will provide support of up to S$500 million for the two programmes. Additional fund matching is expected from industry partners.

With these two programmes, the airport and seaport will become platforms for companies to develop test, and use new technologies.

The ATP is meant to develop R&D to deal with challenges linked to increased air traffic and manpower constraints. The MTP is meant to deal with challenges linked to maritime traffic management, as well as safety and security.

The government will also expand the National Robotics Programme, to encourage wider use of robotics in the built environment sector, particularly in construction.

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