Singapore and Indonesia have today become the first two ASEAN1 countries to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for telecommunications equipment conformity testing2. Signed by the Infocomm Development ...
Singapore, 21 April 2004| For Immediate Release
Telecommunications Equipment Conformity Testing for Faster Time to Market at Reduced Costs
Singapore and Indonesia have today become the first two ASEAN1 countries to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for telecommunications equipment conformity testing2. Signed by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and the Directorate General of Posts and Telecommunications of the Republic of Indonesia, the agreement will further enhance the telecommunications collaboration between the two countries.
In 2003, telecommunication equipment imports from and exports to Indonesia accounted for 8.3% and 10.1% of Singapore's total imports and exports3 respectively. This will be enhanced by the standardised telecommunications equipment testing by offering businesses faster market entry at reduced costs. This is because tests by accredited laboratories will help avoid duplicative testing. This in turn, will save telecommunication equipment companies up to SGD700 per model and will help get their products to market up to 45 days earlier.
The bilateral agreement will also facilitate telecommunications equipment trade through the reduction of non-tariff trade barriers. The agreement will entail more frequent exchanges and updates on Singapore's and Indonesia's telecommunication regulatory requirements. This in turn, will enhance market access opportunities for telecommunications equipment in both countries.
For the consumer, the agreement will help to increase the affordability of and access to telecommunication equipment.
The MoU arises from the last ASEAN TELMIN 3 meeting4 held in Singapore in September 2003. At this meeting, member countries agreed to expedite the implementation of the said MRAs to facilitate ICT trade and investment. The meeting targets Phase 15 of the MRA to be implemented by 2005.
The MoU was signed in Jakarta earlier today by IDA's Director-General of Telecommunications, Mr. Leong Keng Thai and Indonesia's Director General of Posts and Telecommunication, Dr. Djamhari Sirat.
On the MoU signing today, Mr. Leong Keng Thai remarked that he is confident the move will enhance close economic relations between Singapore and Indonesia. The agreement, he says, will not only provide a head start to the overall ASEAN MRA initiative, but will benefit businesses from both countries. Mr. Leong further added that with the agreement in place, telecommunications companies will enjoy faster time to market at reduced costs. Singapore looks forward to working with Indonesia to further advance the common interests and mutual benefits of the two countries.
ISSUED BY CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Notes to Editor:
1The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) consists of Brunei Darussalam, Kingdom of Cambodia, Republic of Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Union of Myanmar, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Singapore, Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
2Telecommunications equipment needs to be tested to the standards of the receiving country before it can be approved for sale and distribution. Testing is usually done by a test laboratory based in the receiving country. With the MoU, equipment testing can be done in any test laboratory based anywhere in the world which is recognised by the importing country.
3All export figures refer to domestic export only.
4ASEAN TELMIN is a meeting of ASEAN Ministers handling telecommunications and information technology. The annual meeting seeks to strengthen ties, promote rapport and establish concrete channels of communication and cooperation among ASEAN nations. The meeting also provides policy direction for the e-ASEAN initiative and is an opportunity for ASEAN to form a caucus to influence international ICT developments. In due course, the forum aims to forge closer cooperation with counterparts in the rest of the region and beyond.
5Phase I of the MRA is the mutual acceptance of telecommunication equipment test reports while Phase II is the mutual acceptance of equipment certification.
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) develops, promotes and regulates info-communications in Singapore, with the aim of establishing Singapore as one of the world's premier infocomm capitals. To nurture an internationally competitive infocomm industry, IDA offers a comprehensive range of programmes and schemes for both local and international companies. For more information, visit https://www.imda.gov.sg/
For media clarification, please contact:
Ms Noraizah Zainal Abidin
Assistant Manager, Corporate Communication
Email : info@imda.gov.sg
Ms Dulcie Chan
Assistant Director, Corporate Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 62111999
Fax: +65 62112227
Email: dulcie_chan@imda.gov.sg
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