Following the recommendations of an inter-agency team on the review of the regulation of co-operatives (co-ops), the Registrar of Co-operative Societies (RCS) will be conducting a public consultation on the draft Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill. The draft Bill aims to help the co-op sector further raise its level of accountability and governance, as well as to set the framework for a more risk-focused co-op regulatory regime. The last major amendment to co-op legislation was in 1980.

Singapore Exchange (“SGX”) is inviting public comment on the proposed enforcement framework, comprising a Composition System and Mandatory Minimum Penalties, for the securities market. The proposed new measures and changes will ensure prompt enforcement actions and resolution of minor to egregious rule violations. The Exchange proposed a similar enforcement structure for the derivatives market recently on 19 December 2007.

Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) today announced the pioneer group of approved sponsors on Catalist, its sponsor-supervised board for local and international fast-growing companies.

Singapore Exchange (SGX) is inviting public comment on two proposals to enhance its enforcement framework for the derivatives market. The proposals will allow the Exchange to provide a wider range of measures to deal effectively with rule violations under the Futures Trading Rules and Derivatives Clearing Rules.

Following the announcement by Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) on 26 November 2007, the rules for Catalist, SGX’s sponsor-supervised listing platform for fast growing companies, will take effect on Monday, 17 December 2007. On the same day, SGX’s second board, SESDAQ, will be renamed Catalist.

Under the Companies Act, shares repurchased by a company may be held in treasury instead of being cancelled. The company may subsequently dispose of such shares by, amongst others, (i) selling them for cash; (ii) transferring them for the purposes of or pursuant to an employee’s share scheme; or (iii) transferring them as consideration for the acquisition of shares or assets of another company.

Singapore Exchange (SGX) today announced a “Watch-list” for listed companies on SGX Mainboard following a public consultation in May this year. The new “Watch-List” and rule changes will take effect on 1 March 2008.

Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) today unveiled Catalist, its sponsor-supervised listing platform for fast growing local and international companies. Catalist is the transformed SESDAQ, SGX's current second board, following an extensive study of other market models, and a public consultation in May 2007.

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) released a public consultation paper on 18 July 2007 to seek feedback from the public on the implementation details for the following Budget 2007 changes to promote philanthropy:

The Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) is seeking comments on the consultation document “Review of the Registration and Regulatory Regime for Foreign Companies under the Companies Act (Cap. 50)”.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) today released the findings from a study they had commissioned on the current state of corporate governance of SGX-listed companies in Singapore. This is the first comprehensive review of the state of corporate governance practices of SGX-listed companies based on key areas in the Singapore Code of Corporate Governance[1] since the Code was introduced in 2001.

Oversight of corporate governance of listed companies will be transferred from the Council of Corporate Disclosure and Governance (CCDG) to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX) with effect from 1 September 2007. The move will clarify and streamline responsibilities for corporate governance matters for listed companies. The approach is consistent with that taken in other sectors, where the sectoral regulator takes responsibility for oversight of governance.

Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) today announced that it is inviting public comments on proposed new listing rules aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of its securities market. For the Mainboard, the focus will be on attracting larger companies and maintaining the quality of listed companies. For SESDAQ, SGX proposes to provide a conducive listing platform for growth companies by transforming it into a sponsor-supervised board (new board). The new board will target both local and foreign growth companies.

With effect from 1 May 2007, the Commissioner of Charities will be implementing new regulations governing charity registration, public fund-raising appeals and large charities.

The Registry of Co-operative Societies, MCYS is seeking views from the public on the proposed changes to co-op regulation.

Keynote address by Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister of State for Finance and Transport at the Corporate Registers Forum welcome luncheon, Swissotel the Stamford Thursday, 19 April 2007 talks about initiatives in Singapore.

Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) and the Hanoi Securities Trading Center (HASTC) today (2 April 2007) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster mutual co-operation between both capital markets.

ACRA (Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority), the national regulatory authority of the audit and public accounting profession in Singapore, became a founding member of the inaugural International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR). Singapore is the only Asian country other than Japan being invited to the IFIAR.

The Ministry of Finance is conducting a public consultation exercise to seek public comments on the draft Limited Partnerships (LPs) Bill 2006, as well as the proposed related amendments to the Business Registration Act, the Goods and Services Tax Act and the Income Tax Act.

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX) announced that it will accept listing of hedge funds, with effect from 29 June 2006.

The Securities Industry Council ("SIC" or the "Council") today issued a consultation paper on proposed amendments to the Singapore Code of Take-overs and Mergers (the "Singapore Code") to keep pace with market innovations and international practices. SIC invites interested parties to give their views and comments on the consultation paper. A copy of the consultation paper is available on the MAS website at http://www.mas.gov.sg/masmcm/bin/pt1SIC_Overview.htm.

Singapore Exchange (SGX) announces the offering of its Global Depository Receipt (GDR) listing facility. The listing of GDRs, which represent equity securities of corporations listed on other foreign stock exchanges, serves as an alternative avenue for international companies to access the Singapore capital market for global funds, broaden investor base and enhance their international profile.

The Singapore Exchange (SGX) today announced changes to its listing rules, which will take effect from 1 September 2006. This follows a public consultation by SGX last year on proposed enhancements to its listing rules and processes in order to raise corporate governance standards and promote good regulatory practices.

Singapore Exchange (SGX) is inviting public comments on Phase Two of the proposed changes to the SGX Derivatives Trading Rulebook. This is part of a wider review of the entire rulebook that SGX is currently undertaking.

Changes have been made to the Securities and Futures (Corporate Governance of Approved Exchanges, Designated Clearing Houses and Approved Holding Companies) Regulations 2005 ("SFR 2005") and the Singapore Code of Corporate Governance 2005 ("the Code"), which deal largely with the independence requirements of the Board of Directors.