The Reit way to go

OVER the years, real estate investment trusts (Reits) has been a key way for investors to gain exposure to the Singapore property sector. These collective investment schemes invest in a portfolio of income-generating real estate assets. Reits allow investors to pool capital to acquire interests in properties that would otherwise be out of their individual reach.

Since its launch in 2002, the Singapore Reit (S-Reit) sector in the Republic has grown significantly to offer investors access to a variety of asset types - from industrial to commercial, hospitality, retail and even residential assets.

"Singapore has developed a robust framework, and put in place a feedback and review system to ensure that Reits abide by the highest level of corporate governance, thereby offering investors peace of mind," said Jonathan Yap, chief investment officer and head of real estate funds, Ascendas-Singbridge. The group manages two listed S-Reits - in the industrial and hospitality spaces - and another listed trust in India properties.