MAS sees S'pore growing into a commodities trading centre

Hong Kong

SINGAPORE'S financial regulator will work with commodity exchanges, investors and producers to support the development of the city-state as a trading centre, including the expansion of clearing houses in Asia.

The entry of new clearing houses can boost liquidity and encourage the development of products, the Monetary Authority of Singapore said in a response to queries. Clearing houses help improve risk management in derivatives markets during Asian hours, the MAS said.

Neighbouring Indonesia is the world's largest exporter of palm oil and tin, while Thailand is among the top three shippers of rice, rubber and sugar. Clearing houses operate as central intermediaries between counterparties, reducing risks of default for us…