China Inc eyes Singapore listings as trade tensions push firms beyond Hong Kong
The companies include a Chinese energy company, a Chinese healthcare group, and a Shanghai-based biotech group, said the sources, who have direct knowledge of the matter, but declined to be named or to name the firms as the plans are not finalised.
The listings would give a boost to Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX), which, despite being a popular venue for yield plays such as real estate investment trusts, has been struggling to attract mega listings and bolster trading volumes.
SGX hosted just four initial public offerings in 2024, according to its website. That compares with 71 new company listings recorded by its rival regional bourse Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd.
Chinese companies are looking to tap the Singaporean bourse as they look to enter, or expand business in, South-east Asia amid a trade war with the United States, Jason Saw, investment banking group head at CGS International Securities, said.
US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of 145 per cent on imports of Chinese goods, and China in turn raised tariffs on US goods to 125 per cent, before the two sides agreed a 90-day pause last weekend. But uncertainty remains, given the time limit and the Trump administration's unpredictability.
Enquiries about listings on SGX 'shot through the roof' after Trump ramped up his trade actions against China, Saw said.
'For the next years and decades, gateways from China to the world are going to be more important,' said Pol de Win, senior managing director and head of global sales and origination at SGX.
'Singapore is an important gateway, whether it's trade (or) business activity from China to the outside world, and a listing in Singapore is an important component of that.' De Win did not mention the listing plans of the Chinese and Hong Kong firms.
'Growing interest'
CGS International, a unit of state-owned brokerage China Galaxy Securities, is working with at least two China-based companies to list on the SGX as early as this year, according to Saw. He declined to name the companies.
Some of the mainland Chinese and Hong Kong companies could raise around US$100 million (RM429.5 million) via primary listings in Singapore, said one of the sources.
SGX is usually not the first choice for Chinese companies eyeing an offshore market debut. Most of them prefer Hong Kong due to Beijing's support and a large pool of institutional and retail investors more familiar with Chinese brands.
Beijing's efforts to boost ties with South-east Asia, amid escalating tension with Washington, have, however, encouraged some Chinese companies to increase their presence in the region, capital market advisers said.
The listing plans in Singapore come after the city-state in February announced measures to strengthen its equities market, which included a 20 per cent tax rebate for primary listings, and vowed to unveil a next set of measures in the second half of 2025.
The initiatives are set to boost interest in the local IPO market, said Ringo Choi, EY's Asia Pacific IPO Leader, adding that Singapore's 'political stability and neutral stance' on geopolitical matters should appeal to companies.
Not many, however, see Singapore closing its gap with Hong Kong in equity listings in the near future, due to factors including Singapore's relatively conservative investors and stricter listing requirements.
'You need to make it easier for companies, especially technology companies, to list,' said the managing director of a Singapore-based multinational software company, who declined to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media.
'Most of the startups in the region are headquartered in Singapore, so this should be the place they list.' — Reuters
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