Singapore dealmaking to pick up in 2014

THE past year was mixed for deal-making in Singapore, with equity fund-raising picking up while mergers and acquisitions (M&A) slowed down.

But industry professionals see a tailwind blowing into 2014 as global economies head towards modest growth, although macro uncertainties like US Federal Reserve "tapering" cast shadows over the horizon.

"Singapore companies have significant access to capital to pursue major targets in other markets and we see them as more willing to use their firepower in the West now that growth in developed markets is accelerating," said Rob Sivitilli, JPMorgan's head of corporate finance for South-east Asia and head of M&A for Asia excluding Japan.

Overall deal activity here - comprising completed M&A, private equity or venture investors, and initial public offerings (IPOs) - rose about 21 per cent to US$34 billion for the year to end-November, according to data compiled …