A $5 Billion Investment Announced for Singapore to Boost Its Equity Market Development
Singapore has announced an S$5 billion Equity Market Development Programme that will enhance fund management and the country’s trading liquidity. The program, led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), involves directing funds toward asset managers with proven investment expertise, benefiting both newly established and existing funds.
Measures to Boost Equity Market Development
Several initiatives have been introduced to bolster equity market development and ensure it meets expectations. For example, the Global Investor Programme (GIP) has been revised to require single-family offices to invest at least S$50 million in Singapore-listed equities.
Are these regulatory reforms necessary? The answer is yes, as they will streamline the IPO process by consolidating listing reviews under the Singapore Exchange Regulation (SGX RegCo), reducing redundancies, and adopting a more disclosure-based approach. These changes, especially with SGX RegCo, are expected to attract more quality listings while maintaining efficient review timelines.
Something else to look forward to for investors is that tax incentives for fund managers and enhanced research grants also aim to boost investor confidence and market participation. The Grant for Equity Market Singapore (GEMS) scheme will also be broadened to support pre-IPO research and expand tax incentives to encourage fund managers to list in Singapore. MAS and SGX RegCo will release more details by mid-2025.
