Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) on the Pilot Project for the Control of Avian Influenza in Tangerang Municipality, Indonesia

09 May 2007

Singapore and Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Pilot Project for the Control of Avian Influenza in Tangerang Municipality, Indonesia.

The project was initiated by the leaders of Indonesia, Singapore and the US at the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leader’s Meeting in Busan, Korea in November 2005. This trilateral project is to be carried out over three years and is estimated to cost US$4.5 million.

The project aims to help Indonesia translate its own national strategy plan in controlling Avian Influenza in a defined and localised geographical area. The project will involve testing out how the recommended approaches in reducing prevalence of Avian Influenza work on the ground so that lessons learnt could be applied to other areas in Indonesia. It is also aimed at strengthening local capability to deal with the virus. The project will involve international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and World Health Organisation (WHO). Singapore’s contribution will include manpower and technical expertise (from MOH and AVA), and US$1, 500,000.

The MOU, which provides a framework for Singapore’s contribution to the project, was signed by Minister for Health, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, and the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare, Mr Aburizal Bakrie in Jakarta.