Reits to riches, but more competition looms

[SINGAPORE] Singapore has established itself as a major Asian hub for real estate investment trusts (Reits) in slightly over a decade, but it now faces both external challenges and domestic constraints.

Other regional markets are establishing their own Reit and business trust (BT) frameworks and will compete increasingly for listings, while on the domestic front, Singapore has to resolve several issues including development caps and sunset clauses which threaten to erode its tax advantages.

Singapore's Reits success has spurred others into action in the region. For example, both the Philippines and Thailand have regulations for Reits in place. India has also joined the fray, with market regulators expected to issue final guidelines on Reits early next year.