Interbank messaging network Swift is reporting a surge in delegate registrations for its annual operations forum Sibos in October following the removal of host nation Singapore from the list of SARS-afflicted countries.
"Registrations have increased to over 120 a week since the World Health Organisation removed Singapore from its list of SARS-affected countries on 31 May", says Patrik Neutjens, who is responsible for Sibos at Swift. "I now expect the recent removal of Taiwan and Toronto from the World Health Organisation's list of SARS-affected locations to accelerate the momentum."
The WHO has lifted all its recommendations to postpone travel and to screen departing passengers, since there are no areas with recent local transmission of SARS. Nevertheless, the Singapore authorities are continuing their surveillance and control measures and Sibos participants will be subject to any special procedures the authorities decide to maintain.
"We are not letting our guard down," says Neutjens. "Swift will continue to monitor the situation closely, in close co-ordination with the Singapore authorities."