SGX renews push for Chinese firms, with focus on strong listings

Exchange targeting familiar brands here, as well as companies already listed in China

- Krist Boo Senior Business Correspondent

Investors could see more familiar Chinese names on the local bourse in 2026 as the Singapore Exchange (SGX) makes a renewed push to draw Chinese companies for listings.

Fresh from grant injections by the Government and recent regulatory nods from both sides, the exchange is gunning for tried-and-proven businesses like advanced manufacturing, as well as those in digital infrastructure, consumer technology, healthcare and sustainable energy.

This time, compared with the 2000s, targets will be on businesses deemed to have long wicks rather than stars that light up the scene, just to fizzle out shortly after.

The first pitch is to familiar brands here to put their primary, or first, listings here, said Ms Chia Caihan, SGX Group's head of capital markets for Greater China.

Speaking to The Straits Times on Dec 17, she said at the top of this list are Chinese businesses that have moved their headquarters here and are eyeing growth in this region.

With fund raising slowing in China, SGX's second pitch is to companies already listed in China to come for a secondary listing.

It will help raise their brand profile among investors here if they are eyeing expansion in Southeast Asia, she said.

A secondary listing also allows them to issue their Singapore employees shares, which cannot be done with their Chinese counters, known as A-shares - owing to foreign ownership restrictions and currency controls.

Singapore offers these companies access to US and European investors, as well as regional investors who increasingly recognise Chinese brands and are willing to invest in them, Ms Chia said.