SINGAPORE, Aug. 8 -- Restaurant-bars, pubs, bars and nightclubs in the Boat Quay and Clarke Quay area will be able to apply for extended liquor licences till 4am on Thursdays and Fridays from August 18.

The year-long pilot programme is aimed at revitalising the area, Singapore daily The Straits Times reported.

"We've been looking at how to make sure the place is lively - it's part of the attraction of Singapore as a whole.

"As part of the feedback after looking at it, we decided to make some changes," Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam was quoted as saying.

Businesses will also be allowed to submit proposals for new bars, pubs and nightclubs along the Boat Quay waterfront, Circular Road, Lorong Telok and Canton Street.

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