To support marine conservation and research, RWS rolled out a multi-million dollar RWS Marine Life Fund in May and announced that shark fin will not be served on menus across its premises.

With a quarter of the fund devoted to school children aged between 10 and 18 years old, the Marine Life Fund hopes to nurture budding marine researchers by supporting their school projects. It is also open to marine conservationists and scientists for research and education undertakings.

RWS will support the fund with up to S$100,000 grant each year for 2008 and 2009, and up to S$1 million annually after the resort opens in 2010. Applications can be made on www.rwsentosa.com

Given the declining population of sharks, RWS is planning for a resort-wide no-shark-fin menu when it opens. RWS believes that the consumption of shark fins is unsustainable, and is hopeful that it can make a difference to shark conservation by taking a stand.

In other conservation efforts spearheaded by RWS, corals saved from the coral relocation project in July 2007 are having a promising start at new reefs set up in Singapore's southern islands. Almost a year has passed since the corals and marine creatures such as sea horses were moved from their home at Sentosa's northern shoreline to make way for the resort's land reclamation. A census done in April this year shows that over 75 per cent of the corals are doing well under the care of RWS consultant DHI, which manages the reefs.

The foundation of Maxims Residences is beginning to take shape

Pace is picking up on the construction front. In April, RWS inked a construction contract with local company Low Keng Huat (Singapore) Limited to build Hard Rock Hotel - a first for Singapore and one of the six hotels at the resort. The contract includes the building of one of Asia's biggest column-free ballrooms, held up by extra large trusses. The ballroom, spanning 6,500 sqm in size and 11 metres in height, seats 7,300 people.

In the same month, RWS scaled another milestone when it awarded its biggest construction contract to date, a S$1.05 billion deal to build three other hotels and the main shopping strip FestiveWalk. The deal was secured by a joint venture between Japanese contractor Kajima Overseas Asia Pte Ltd and the local Tiong Seng Contractors (Pte) Ltd.

A landmark moment happened in May with the casting of the Maxims's Residences' first level core wall. The building will be among the first structures to rise from the ground.

The corporate office on Sentosa is currently half filled

Over at Human Resources, RWS made several key recruitments in the January to March quarter. Mr Man Shu Sum, formerly from Media Development Authority of Singapore and a heavy-hitter in the television and film industry in Hong Kong and Singapore, came aboard as the Chief Executive Officer of Mark Burnett Productions Asia (MBPA). Located within RWS' office premises, MBPA is targeting its first production this year and Mr Man will be instrumental in mapping out the company's direction.

Another hire has made television hits like Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd a household name in Singapore and the region. Andrea Teo is heading the RWS entertainment and events division as Vice President. With Andrea's extensive background in the local entertainment industry, there will be memorable entertainment moments when the resort welcomes visitors in early 2010.

At the halfway mark of 2008, staff strength tips just over 200. This number will increase and cross 300 by year end. To learn more about or recruitment strategy, watch our webcast.

Around 60 bankers were present at the Credit signing ceremony

In the last enews update, we mentioned the securing of S$4 billion in credit facilities for the development of the resort. In this issue, we are pleased to announce the completion of the credit syndication. An evening cocktail was held at RWS' office to mark the signing of one of the largest credit facilities ever undertaken in Singapore. Eighteen stacks of documents were exchanged between a total of 15 banks and 24 signatories. This successful syndication is another milestone for RWS, which is on track for a soft opening in early 2010.