The EFB is an information-management device that helps flight crews perform tasks more easily and efficiently with less paper.

It also performs security functions such as cockpit door surveillance and cargo door recording applications.

The contract has options worth $1.2 million that, if exercised, bring the deal to $9.2 million.

Global AirWorks is the aviation division of US firm Global ePoint, a manufacturer of security technologies for the aviation, law-enforcement, commercial and industrial markets.

Global AirWorks president Ricky Frick said last week that due to the elimination of heavy paper manuals and other documents, as well as the EFB's ability to navigate to more favourable wind conditions, airlines received an immediate return on their investment through reduced fuel consumption and a decrease in labour costs for the revision of manuals and pilot advisories.

The system's security features reduce insurance costs and help to combat potential terrorist threats and air-rage incidents.

EU food safety workshop

The European Union will conduct a regional training programme on the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (EU RASFF) from tomorrow to Wednesday at the Landmark Hotel in Bangkok.

The workshop is financed by the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General (SANCO) of the European Commission with the aim of supporting targeted regions to interact with the EU RASFF as well as develop their own domestic and regional rapid alert systems.

The EU RASFF, introduced in 1979, is considered to be the world's most developed and effective system for the rapid notification of direct and indirect risks to human health deriving from food or feed.

To ensure coherent, simultaneous actions and most importantly consumer safety, the EU RASFF provides quick information-exchange among 27 EU member states and three non-member states - Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - allowing them to immediately identify the risk and take appropriate measures.

VN ups Laos investment

Vietnam continues to stamp its mark on Laos' business environment and is now the third-largest investor in the country behind Thailand and China, a Lao official was quoted as saying by Vietnam New Agency from Vientiane last week.

Since Laos initiated its investment law in 1983, Vietnamese businesses have leapt into 106 projects investing US$516 million (Bt17.8 billion), mainly in the fields of mining, hydropower and energy and agriculture, Thongmy Phomvisay, vice chairman of the Lao Committee for Planning and Investment, said at a conference to assess the impact of Vietnam's business interests in the country.