Briefs

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) yesterday signed an agreement in Singapore to improve air safety under maintenance implementation procedures.

The agreement will cover safety oversight requirements as well as the mutual recognition of procedures for the approval and monitoring of aircraft maintenance organisations.

“This agreement with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore will strengthen aviation safety while reducing the cost of inspections for aircraft repair work,” said FAA administrator Michael Huerta.

“The United States looks forward to our continued collaboration with Asean member states,” he added.

CAAS director-general Kevin Shum said the latest agreement between his agency and the FAA “would reflect the strength of our bilateral relationship that dates back more than two decades”.

“Both organisations share a common goal in finding solutions to tackle complex challenges in the aviation landscape, in areas such as aviation safety and security, air traffic management, environmental issues related to aviation, and human capital development,” he added.

KCE profit up 6.2%

KCE Electronics, a manufacturer and exporter of printed circuit boards, announced sales revenue of Bt12.44 billion and net profit of Bt2.24 billion for last year, rises of 10.3 per cent and 6.2 per cent respectively.

During the fourth quarter, operating profit reached a new high of Bt630 million, representing a 32.4-per-cent year-on-year increase, and gross profit margin reached a record-high 33.8 per cent during the same period, executive chairman Bancha Ongkosit said.

More help for Vietnam

The Japan External Trade Organisation will continue to help Ho Chi Minh City develop supporting industries, its chief in the city has promised.

Hirotaka Yasuzumi said JETRO had organised many business-matching events, exhibitions and other activities to boost cooperation between Vietnamese and Japanese firms in supporting industries, but the same Vietnamese participants attended again and again – and not many new faces took part.

Most businesses in supporting industries are small or medium-sized, have modest resources and management, and use outdated technologies, resulting in inconsistent quality for their products, he said.– Viet Nam News