Singapore - A two-week exercise to test the preparedness of Singapore's financial industry for a deadly flu outbreak is to start at the end of this month, organizers said Wednesday.

Involving more than 140 banks, insurers, other firms and government agencies, the aim is to ensure that financial institutions are ready to cope with a potential flu pandemic, said Ong-Ang Ai Boon, director of the association of banks.

The exercise is to evaluate the ability of banks, insurance companies and securities brokerage firms to respond to widespread flu infections, mass hospitalizations and deaths, the association said.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Singapore Exchange are also to take part in the exercise from August 28 to September 11.

The financial industry took part in a simulated terrorist attack two years ago. ((dpa))