Niantic projects

SINGAPORE: A windfall from stamp duties and vehicle-related taxes will hand the government a bigger than budgeted surplus for fiscal year 2012. However, the revenue growth is expected to slow this upcoming financial year. The government is projecting an overall budget surplus of S$2.4 billion or 0.7% of GDP for FY2013 starting 1 April. The government is expecting to post a higher-than-expected surplus of S$3.9 billion or 1.1 percent of Singapore's GDP for FY2012. But the government is expecting to collect lower revenue for FY 2013. It is forecasting operating revenue of S$55.03 billion, a 0.3 percent decrease from FY 2012. However, Net Investment Returns Contribution (NIRC) is projected to increase 0.7% to S$7.7 billion, from S$7.65 billion the previous year. The NIRC will help fund S$5.6 billion in top-ups to endowment and trust funds, including the GST Voucher Fund. For the new financial year, corporate income tax will amount to S$12.94 billion, about 1.5 … [Read more...] about Budget 2013: Govt projects budget surplus of S$2.4b for FY2013

SINGAPORE: Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, who is Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, said the ministry also considers quality, not just the lowest cost, when selecting a tender. Associate Professor Faishal was responding to a question on whether the Transport Ministry makes a calculation of how much a project costs before calling for tenders for infrastructure projects. MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Christopher de Souza, said this would avoid pressuring subcontractors' fees, especially if a project could not be realistically done at a lower figure. Associate Professor Faishal said: "Even before we call for tender, we make sure we assess the project accurately, and we go stages by stages. And wherever possible, we meet the tenderers to discuss on the cost estimates per se. "We do not necessarily look at the lowest tenderer, we also look at quality. We'll also look at how realistically the project can be implemented or completed. "In fact, prior to … [Read more...] about MOT looks at quality, not lowest cost in deciding tenders for projects

The project is being launched with the aim of strengthening the Government’s capacity to sustainably manage HIV and tuberculosis (TB) programmes, thereby moving towards the goal of achieving the country’s commitment to end HIV and TB by 2030. Through the LHSS Vietnam project, USAID will continue working alongside the Government to strengthen public financial management systems for the local health sector and find greater efficiencies in terms of social health insurance. In addition, the scheme will increase and improve the efficiency of domestic financing of HIV prevention and treatment services, whilst strengthening the capacity of local supply chain management systems, and integrating TB services into social health insurance. Addressing the launching ceremony, USAID Vietnam director Ann Marie Yastishock congratulated the Government and the Ministry of Health on the successful transition of their HIV response from donor to domestic funding, with Social Health Insurance (SHI) now … [Read more...] about USAID-funded project helps Vietnam combat HIV/AIDS, TB

The Hanoitimes - Vietnam is among five select Southeast Asian countries reached for the extent of sexual harassment in the media workplace. Vietnam, together with four other Southeast Asian countries, has become the latest beneficiary of a project against sexual harassment in media industry by the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), one of the largest non-profit journalistic organizations in the world. Sexual harassment in workplace remains underreported Vietnam, together with Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and the Philippines will be reached for the extent of this problem in the ongoing Phase Two of a three-part project on addressing sexual harassment in the media workplace, spanning Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arab Region and Southeast Asia, according to WAN-IFRA Women in News (WIN). The Southeast Asia study makes up the second phase of the project that is conducted in the partnership between WIN and City, University of London. Widespread … [Read more...] about Vietnam becomes beneficiary of global project against sexual harassment in media

SINGAPORE: The Media Development Authority (MDA) has yet to recover $3.5 million worth of loans from undelivered projects. In a written reply to parliament on Monday, Information, Communications and the Arts Minister, Yaacob Ibrahim said MDA will take measures to recover the loans, including initiating legal proceedings. Nominated MP Janice Koh had earlier asked how many government grants for film and television projects remain undelivered and what is the total amount of unrecovered loans to date. Dr Yaacob explained that since 2003, MDA has co-invested a total of S$109 million with local industry to undertake a total of 253 projects in film and television. This has generated an additional S$320 million of non-MDA funding, of which 67 per cent is from overseas. The strategic outcomes expected, and achieved, are the building of the industry's portfolio and capabilities to co-produce high quality content with international as well as local appeal. In addition, Dr Yaacob … [Read more...] about MDA yet to recover S$3.5m worth of loans from projects

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) has once again put out a national call for grant applications for funds to assist internet projects across the country. Preference will be given to projects that not only benefit students but also those geared to assist Indigenous communities and those in rural and northern locations. CIRA has been providing more than $1 million in funding to various projects each year since 2014. For the past few years, including this year, it has offered $1.25 million in grants. Registered charities, non-profit organizations and researchers and academics affiliated with a post-secondary school in Canada are encouraged to submit funding applications for projects before the April 14 deadline. Traditionally, CIRA officials receive more than 100 applications for funding annually. “We usually fund 15- 20- per cent of the applications that come in,” said Maureen James, who manages CIRA’s Community Investment Program. “It’s very competitive.” … [Read more...] about CIRA seeks grant applications for internet projects