SGX sees end to Chinese IPO hiatus

SINGAPORE Exchange (SGX) is forecasting an end to a two-year hiatus for Chinese listings after regulators made it easier for companies from Asia's biggest economy to sell shares in the city-state.

SGX expects some initial public offerings from Chinese companies next year, Lawrence Wong, head of listings at the exchange operator, said in an interview on Sept 17. The last was Sincap Group Ltd in June 2012. SGX and the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) signed a deal in November that allows mainland companies to list on the South-east Asian bourse without having to incorporate an overseas holding company.

"China has been on our radar for a long time," Mr Wong said. "The arrangement with CSRC allows Chinese companies incorporated in China to list in Singapore directly. This is very significant. In the past, it was very difficult for mainland companies to do so."