8 September 2008 - an important date etched in the annals of APD to mark the official launch of the Regulated Air Cargo Agent Regime. Held at the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA), the event was officiated by the Guest of Honour (GOH), Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, Senior Minister of State for Law & Home Affairs.

Preparations for the official launch commenced in Jun 2008. The RCAR Secretariat was actively engaged in the conceptualization of the launch and had numerous discussions and meetings especially over administrative matters such as the guest lists, launch program and door gifts. On days leading up to the launch, late nights in office were a norm for the dedicated members of the RCAR Secretariat as they put in extra hours to ensure that every minute area was covered.

On the morning of 8 Sept, Commissioner of Police Mr Khoo Boon Hui & DS(S) MHA Dr Mimi Choong were among the numerous distinguished guests from the Singapore Police Force, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Transport. A total of 140 guests filled the auditorium of the SAA. As the emcee for the day, Ms Pamelyn Chee, announced the arrival of the GOH with a rousing welcome from the audience.

To kick off the ceremony, guests were treated to a multimedia presentation titled – The Birth of RCAR. As the title suggested, the presentation illustrated how the RCAR initiative came about. After the presentation, the GOH, Senior Minister of State for Law & Home Affairs Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee was invited on stage for a keynote address. The GOH reiterated that the RCAR will strengthen Singapore’s position as a safe and secure global air hub and will boost the confidence that the aviation industry has in Singapore as well as provide safer journeys for travellers.

Following his speech, Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee was invited to activate a mock-up of a consignment of cargo being screened by an x-ray machine to symbolize the launch of the Regulated Air Cargo Agent Regime in Singapore.

The RCAR would not be successfully launched had it not been for the support of the air cargo industry as well as other supporting industry partners. As such, Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee presented a total of 29 appreciation plaques to cargo agents who had participated in the pilot implementation of the RCAR in Oct 07, industry partners such as the Singapore Air Cargo Agents Association (SAAA) as well as the 3 Airfreight Terminals namely SATS, CIAS & Swissport.

After the presentation of tokens of appreciation, guests were treated to another engaging multimedia presentation, this time, titled The RCAR Experience. It illustrated the years of planning and the journey APD had taken before finally implementing the RCAR. With that, the launch ceremony drew to a close and guests were treated to a sumptuous reception outside the auditorium.

The official launch of the RCAR is not the end, but rather the beginning, in ensuring safer air travel, through a robust cargo security regime within a Secured World-Class Airport.