Singapore

COMMERCIAL flexibility in the aviation sector is needed to help economies maximise their growth potential, and this is Singapore's ultimate aim in pursuing greater competition in the sector, said Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

In addressing a hall of about 300 guests at the opening dinner of the Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit on Sunday, Mr Tharman, who is also coordinating minister for economic and social policies in Singapore, outlined five strategies - most of them focusing on political commitment to liberalising the aviation market - that Singapore is pursuing in ensuring the growth of the aviation sector. The sector accounts for about 6 per cent of Singapore's gross domestic product.