SGX, Japan exchange ink pact to promote markets

THE Singapore Exchange (SGX) and the Japan Exchange Group Inc (JPX) plan to jointly develop and promote their markets on both exchanges, SGX said in a statement on Thursday after the market closed.

The letter of intent covers looking into the possibility of new derivatives products based on the Topix index; collaborating on the development of commodities markets; and promotional activities.

One of Singapore's more popular equity index futures products is its Nikkei 225 Index Futures, which saw trading volume grow 9 per cent year-on-year in November to 2.6 million contracts.

SGX chief executive Magnus Bocker said in a statement: "This partnership dovetails well with SGX's strength in connecting markets to open up more opportunities for investors."

JPX chief executive Atsushi Saito said the deal "is intended to deepen our continuous relationship especially in the derivatives and IT area. The most two leading exchanges in Asia will contribute to the further development of capital markets in Asia."