Singapore

Promoting RMB internationalisation is necessary for China to safeguard its national security, Anthony Leung, chairman and CEO of Nan Fung Group and former financial secretary of Hong Kong, told the Asian Financial Forum on January 16.

Trafigura’s Singaporean entity Trafigura Pte launched a $4.5bn revolving credit facility on Monday to refinance two loans taken out over the last two years.

In the latest Clawback, columnist Philippe Espinasse puts the Singapore Exchange's proposal on quarterly reporting by companies under the microscope.

The Chinese government contemplates RMB-denominated IPOs for mainland companies fundraising for Belt and Road projects, foreign ownership of Chinese bonds goes up in December, and premier Li Keqiang indicates the economy grew by 6.9% in 2017.

United Overseas Bank in Singapore was able to price a seven year euro covered bond in line with Westpac on Tuesday. Although UOB was unable to match the pricing of DBS Bank, it achieved 'remarkable traction' with second and third tier investors across Europe.

The pace of covered bond supply is expected to remain fast on Tuesday, with as many as three issuers mandating lead managers for benchmark deals.

Singapore’s Puma Energy Holdings began speaking with investors on Monday ahead of a new dollar bond issuance that will redeem its existing 2021s.

Chinese regulators have given their blessing to Global Logistics Properties (GLP) returning to the Panda market. The company is putting a Belt and Road spin to the issuance programme, even though proceeds are going towards a recent acquisition in Western Europe.

Asia’s green financing market has made great strides since issuance started to pick up two years ago, with 2017 seeing more regulators and issuers giving the asset class a push. But for all its impressive feats, the region’s green market is yet to come of age.

Short selling is crucial to the development of China’s equity market, especially in attracting greater foreign participation, Lyndon Chao, head of equities and post trade at the Asia Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association (Asifma), told GlobalRMB.

The Philippines postpones its Panda bond deal as it awaits approval from China’s central bank, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) opens its first office in Singapore, and the renminbi falls to seventh place in the league table of the world’s most used payments currency in October.

A novel green loan for Singapore’s Wilmar International has put the focus on the potential for sustainable products in Asia. While green bonds have gained popularity in the region, the loan market is still lagging far behind — but that appears to be set to change, writes Shruti Chaturvedi.