Reinforcing SGX listing and enforcement framework

IN September 2014, the Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA), in collaboration with CLSA, issued its Ninth Corporate Governance Watch report. Out of the 11 markets surveyed for overall corporate governance, Singapore ranked equal first with Hong Kong.

What was interesting was that Singapore's score was slightly lower than in 2012 (the last time the survey was done), partly because of a lower regulatory enforcement score. Notably, Singapore was one of only two markets that showed such a drop.

In the past, the Singapore Exchange (SGX) has been criticised for its sluggish enforcement of its Listing Rules. The criticisms have been a little unfair. The reality is that the SGX has limited legal options.