Singapore offers Asia environmental training

Singapore offers Asia environmental training

SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore, which will spend $2 billion by 2000 on environmental programs, offered yesterday to become a source of environmental training and technology for developing Asian nations.

"Singapore strongly supports bilateral and regional initiatives to improve environmental standards in other developing countries," said Ho Kah Leong, senior parliamentary secretary for the ministry of environment.

"We are therefore committed to playing a proactive role in the transfer of environmental knowhow and technology," Ho said in a speech at the opening of a conference on the environment here on World Environment Day.

Environmental awareness in the world has grown in recent years but knowledge of effective environment protection practices "still does not reach millions who suffer from environmental degradation," he said.

He stressed the need for transfer of environmental knowhow and technology.

With its strategic location, Singapore could be a regional hub for environmental training and technology for Asian developing countries, Ho said.

Acting environment minister Teo Chee Han said in remarks published Monday by The Straits Times that Singapore would spend $2 billion (US$1.42 billion) over the next five years on environment-related programs.

More than $1one billion will be used for a new offshore landfill site and the rest for expanding the island republic's sewerage treatment facilities, Teo said.

He made the remarks after delivering a speech on the link between land and sea pollution at a ceremony to honor volunteers who took part in a two-year coral reef rescue program.

Pollution from shipping attracted greater media attention, especially in the event of a major oil spill, Teo said.

But pollution from land-based sources, if not tackled, would "find its way through drains, rivers and finally to the sea in a continuous but unspectacular stream," the minister warned.