Singapore

Law firm Clifford Chance has appointed five new partners in Asia Pacific, including one capital markets specialist, according to a Tuesday press release.

Two commodities companies have rolled out separate syndications into the loan market, with Vitol Asia approaching lenders for $1bn and Gunvor Singapore looking for $800m.

Wilmar International, a Singaporean agricultural firm, sold its first bond in three years on Wednesday.

In a blow to the Singapore Exchange’s (SGX) dual-class aspirations, an investor group has voiced its opposition to the bourse’s plan to allow weighted voting rights, saying it could “threaten” the quality of the equity market.

Gunvor Singapore and India’s state-owned Rural Electrification Corp are tapping lenders for more than $1bn in new financings.

Halcyon Agri Corporation raised $150m on Wednesday from its maiden international bond. The deal was launched in a softer market amid increased volatility sparked by geopolitical events, but the issuer benefitted from its relationship with China’s state-owned Sinochem Group.

Gunvor Singapore is set to make a comeback for its annual refinancing, this time sounding out its relationship banks for a $800m transaction.

Standard Chartered has created a new unit to house its private financial markets business, to bring more focus to its debt product structuring and distribution.

Wednesday proved yet another robust day for Asian bonds, with rubber company Halcyon Agri Corporation, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China’ Singapore branch and Chinese developer Times Property Holdings out for funds in the primary market.

Ecom, the Swiss commodities trader, has sealed a $500m one year revolver after banks piled in, helping it raise $100m more than planned.

ONE Championship, the pan-Asia mixed martial arts promoter and media company co-founded by a former hedge fund manager, is in early discussions with banks about a planned global listing in the US.

Dual-class share (DCS) listings could “threaten” the quality of Singapore’s equity capital markets, warn international investors in a report sent to the country's exchange.