CELEBRATE EARTH HOUR 2012 @ORCHARD

Date: Saturday, 31 March 2012

Time: 6.30pm – 10.00 pm

Venue: Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, Orchard Road (Nearest MRT: Orchard and Somerset)

Guest of Honour: Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister, Environment and Water Resources

Head down to Orchard Road on Saturday, 31 March 2012 with your friends and family to celebrate Earth Hour with the rest of the global community. Join in the festivities with a live concert and eco-carnival, witness the first 60+ SINGAPORE human formation and count down to the lights-off event at 8.30pm. This event is powered by bio-diesel from Alpha Biofuels.

SGX, Phillip Futures Join Forces to Train New Professional Traders

Singapore Exchange (SGX) and futures broker Phillip Futures announced Thursday that they are setting up a new Professional Traders Development Centre to train and grow the talent pool of professional traders.

The new centre will accept up to 50 new traders per quarter on its training and mentorship programme which will start in May 2012. SGX said the initiative underscores the rising interest in trading of derivatives contracts which saw a record trading volume of 72 million contracts in 2011, 18 per cent higher than in 2010.

The core offering at this centre is a derivatives trading course with SGX Academy trainers providing mentorship during actual trading. This collaboration is expected to train more than 200 traders a year.

“The Professional Traders Development Centre is an integrated training platform providing a rigorous trading and mentorship programme which supports exchange of trading ideas and strategies in a ‘live’ trading environment. This integrated training approach will build talents and capabilities for the derivatives trading community and lead to a more exciting derivatives trading landscape going forward,” said Chew Sutat, SGX Executive Vice President who oversees the SGX Academy.

Meanwhile, SGX also launched Thursday its inaugural Securities Market Quality Report which provides information on trading activity, liquidity, volatility and trading costs on the SGX securities market in 2011.

The report aims to provide a quantitative overview of trading activity and market dynamics to enable investors to better evaluate “market quality” and highlight trading opportunities available on SGX.

It is prepared by SGX in conjunction with the Capital Markets Cooperative Research Centre in Australia, and is intended to be a half-yearly report covering 12-month periods ending June and December going forward.

“We hope market participants, especially institutional players, will find this report useful in helping them with their trading decisions on SGX, the world’s most internationalized securities market. We will continue to develop our market through product, microstructure and infrastructure enhancements for the benefit of all participants,” said Nels Friets, Head of Securities at SGX.

MEDIA INVITE : DISCOVER THE TASTE NOTES OF TIGER CRYSTAL (27 MARCH , 6PM)

The event happens at CoCoon Bar , Clarke Quay in collaboration with Shawn Kishore , the lead molecular mixologist of BAR Essentials .

Using liquid nitrogen , I get to experience first-hand , the unlocking of the various taste notes of Tiger Crystal - bringing to life the actual brewing technique used to produce the lager . Known as 'Cold Suspension', the process involves the filtering of the beer at a crystal cold temperature of -1 degree celsius to preserve only the most desirable flavours and aromas .

Another aspect that sets it apart from Tiger Beer is Tiger Crystal's elegant asesthetics . Available only in 300 ml bottles , the brew is encased in crystal-clear flint glass to showcase its crystal-like translucency . playing up Tiger Crystal's premuim quality and excluding a refreshing appearance .

SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL COIN FAIR 2012

For the first time since 1997, China is issuing an official set of gold & silver medals to commemorate a prestigious coin fair. The 2012 Singapore International Coin Fair, taking place March 30th to April 1st, 2012 at the Marina Bay Sands Resort, will be honored with official Chinese Panda gold & silver medals. Four new official Panda medals commemorating the Singapore International Coin Fair will be released.

The 2012 Singapore International Coin Fair gold & silver Panda medals carry on a long tradition of China issuing Panda medals commemorating prestigious coin fairs. The first coin expo to be honored with a Panda medal was the 1984 Hong Kong coin show. The last coin fair to have an official Panda medal was the 1997 Munich International Coin Show. Many other coin fairs were honored with official Chinese Panda medals, & these coin fair medals are amongst the most popular Panda issues from China, with low mintages & high premiums. Previous precedent suggests the new 2012 Singapore International Coin Fair Panda medals will sell out fast.

 

Tiger Beer’s Live It Up Party II at Wave House Sentosa – 24 March 2012

I was invited to attend the event as a media , thanks to HONGPENG and SHANE !

Please note that the media pass lanyard is also the bottle opener .

Over 500 Singaporeans and foreigners turned up for the event , queueing patiently to get their pass .





Free flow of tiger beer and tiger crystal are up for grabs until 5 pm , while stocks last .

One of the entertaining stage games played whereby helmet is the only protection the participants have .

Music performances by up-and-coming local band 53A , consists of 2 guys and 2 girls .

Let us salute Shane for shaving his head bald for charity .





How can I forget to take a group picture with fellow bloggers ?

Singapore Exchange Introduces Dual Currency Trading

Singapore Exchange (SGX) Thursday announced it has introduced dual currency trading that allows listed securities to be traded in two different currencies.

It said this aims to deliver greater cost efficiency to investors as they are able to trade foreign-denominated securities in their local currency.

With dual currency trading, a company can now choose for its listed security to be traded in any two different currency denominations. The securities will be fungible, and an investor can buy or sell the security in any currency regardless of the currency in which it was first bought or sold.

Dual-currency listed shares will be consolidated in investors’ Central Depository (CDP) accounts so that the total number of shares can be viewed at a glance. For example, 1,000 US dollar-denominated shares and 2,000 Singapore dollar-denominated shares will be reflected as 3,000 shares in the CDP account.

“Dual currency trading can also apply to other listed securities such as exchange traded funds,” Magnus Bocker, CEO of SGX, said. “It will benefit investors who can now choose to trade in their preferred currencies, while companies and issuers can enjoy the flexibility and potential added liquidity of having their securities trading in two currencies.”

He added that SGX will continue to find new ways to assist issuers in fund raising and investors in trading and risk management.

SGX said Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) Trust will be the first listed security to launch dual currency units, in US dollars and Singapore dollars. It will start trading on 2 April 2012.

HPH Trust units are currently quoted and traded only in US dollars.

With the launch of dual currency trading of the units, HPH Trust will have a Singapore-dollar counter in addition to its existing US-dollar counter. This means investors will have the flexibility to trade the units in either US dollars or Singapore dollars.

“For Singapore dollar-based investors, trading in the Singapore-dollar counter may be more convenient and cost-effective without the need to incur foreign exchange costs,” HPH Trust said in a statement on Thursday.

It added that the additional Singapore-dollar counter for the units will not affect its financial position or change the total number of units issued by HPH Trust.

“We believe dual currency trading is in the best interests of our unit holders and may enhance the liquidity of our units by attracting investors who wish to invest in Singapore dollars,” Canning Fok, Chairman of the trustee-manager of HPH Trust, said.

胡夏 [燃点] 签唱会 Hu Xia [Flame of Love] Autograph Session

Date: 1st Apr, Sun 
Time: 4:00pm
Venue: Square 2, Novena MRT Station

• 歌迷只需出示胡夏《燃点》新加坡版专辑, 便可上台索取胡夏的亲笔签名.
• Autograph signing is applicable to Hu Xia [Flame of Love] Singapore Version only
• One person is allowed to sign on one [Flame of Love] album only
• The organisers reserve the rights to change or amend any aspect of this event at their discretion

 

SGX, MAS Sign MOU to Expedite ASEAN Secondary Listings’ Review Process

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Singapore Exchange (SGX) Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Expedited Review Framework for Secondary Listings.

The Expedited Review Framework is an initiative under the ACMF Implementation Plan endorsed by ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Finance Ministers in 2009.

The objective of the Framework is to speed up the processing of secondary listing applications together with relevant disclosure documents.

This Framework is available to incorporated corporations whose shares are primarily listed on the main market of an exchange in jurisdictions that are signatories to the MOU.

If corporations satisfy the requirements set out in the Framework, signatories to the MOU will review these applications within a shortened time period of 35 business days compared with the normal review time of up to 16 weeks.

Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are the first three jurisdictions to sign the MOU. Other securities regulators and stock exchanges of ASEAN jurisdictions may join the Framework by signing the MOU on the Expedited Review Framework for Secondary Listings as and when they are able to satisfy the Framework’s requirements.

Lee Chuan Teck, Assistant Managing Director (Capital Markets Group) of MAS, said: “The signing of the MOU indicates the commitment of ASEAN jurisdictions to work towards integrating our capital market. We hope that the Expedited Review Framework will encourage more listed companies to seek cross-listings in the region to broaden their investor base. With more cross-listings, investors in the region will have easier access to a broader choice of investments.”

ORCHARD FASHION RUNWAY

17 Mar 2012

Orchard Road

For the first time ever, fashion literally steps out onto Orchard Road on the Opening Night of FSO 2012.

More than 170 models will walk down the closed road in a runway showcasing local and international brands, set amidst alfresco seating for VIPs and guests.

Expect the latest Spring / Summer collections from participating brands Vivienne Westwood, Dsquared2, Dip Drops, Rosebullet, iCB, J.Press, Robinsons, Marks & Spencer, Just Cavalli, Paul & Joe and Maria Grachvogel.

This event is open to public viewing. VIP seating area is by invite only.

Invited guests are encouraged to stylise their FSO 2012 t-shirts the way our models are showcasing on the photo slideshow.

Orchard Road, from Paterson / Scotts to Bideford junctions, will be closed to vehicular traffic from 8pm to 10pm. Public buses will also be diverted.

Barclays Premier League Trophy Tour

*SCAPE, Singapore

Event Dates – Friday 9th to Sunday 11th March
Friday @ 2pm-10pm
Saturday & Sunday @ 12pm-8pm

The event is situated outside *SCAPE, on 2 Orchard Link, off Orchard Road, Singapore 237978

As part of the global Barclays Premier League Trophy Tour, Barclays and the Premier League are bringing the Barclays Premier League Trophy and its interactive experience to football fans in Singapore. Chelsea legend and World Cup winner Marcel Desailly will be opening the Singaporean leg of the tour at 2pm on Friday 9th March at *SCAPE just off Orchard Road. 

The interactive experience will take place from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th March 2012; Friday from 2pm to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 8pm.

A dedicated website www.barclayspremierleaguetrophytour.com has been created for fans to find out more information, as well as to pre-book priority places for the Tour. The free experience will take fans through four domes:

1. The Changing Room - packed with unique interactive features this is a fact-based tour through the history of the current 20 Barclays Premier League clubs. 
2. The Centre Circle - supporters will experience the noise and excitement of a match-day before learning all about the winning teams and captains over the 20 years of the Premier League.
3. The Trophy Room - fans can get up close with the official Barclays Premier League Trophy.
4. Becoming the Third Lion - through green screen technology, supporters will be able to picture themselves lifting the Barclays Premier League Trophy.

The Barclays Premier League is the biggest continuous annual global sporting event in the world with the audience growing each year. Every match-day is broadcast to more than 640 million households in 212 countries and territories. The Tour offers an opportunity for fans around the globe that may never get the chance to attend a live Barclays Premier League match in England to get up close and have a behind the scenes experience of the teams and players that they follow so passionately. 

After fans have been through the Barclays Premier League Trophy Tour they will also have the opportunity to take part in another Barclays Premier League event, the Champions 19 Experience. It recreates the story of Manchester United’s achievement of winning 19 League titles and there will be the chance to see historic Manchester United memorabilia and see what makes Manchester United the most successful modern era English team.

Singapore Exchange’s Securities, Derivatives Activities Up in February

Singapore Exchange (SGX) posted an increase in derivatives volume in February. Activity in the securities and commodity market also grew during the month from January and compared with a year earlier.

The daily average value of securities rose 41 per cent to S$1.8 billion in February from January, and was up 4 per cent year-on-year.

Exchange traded funds turnover declined 17 per cent to S$518 million from a year earlier.

On a year-on-year basis, structured warrants volume more than doubled to 5.1 billion units.

The daily average volume of derivatives was up 22 per cent at 323,058 contracts compared with January, and was 8 per cent higher year-on-year.

China A50 futures volume grew 71 per cent to 689,130 contracts from January, while Nikkei 225 futures volume rose 39 per cent to 2.4 million contracts. Nifty futures activity was up 13 per cent at 1.3 million contracts and MSCI Taiwan futures volume was up 46 per cent at 1.5 million contracts. Trading of MSCI Singapore Index Futures was up 16 per cent at 350,915 contracts.

Trading of SICOM rubber futures rose 12 per cent to 21,758 contracts from January, and was up 80 per cent year-on-year as availability of the rubber futures on the SGX derivatives platform continued to draw more participation.

Volume of over-the-counter (OTC) commodity contracts cleared was flat at 24,659 contracts from a month earlier and 58 per cent higher year-on-year. Iron ore swaps cleared totalled 11,971 contracts, up 34 per cent month-on-month and almost five times the volume recorded a year earlier.

OTC interest rate swaps cleared totalled a notional S$204 billion since the November 2010 launch, while the volume of new trades cleared in February this year was S$5.1 billion, up 12 per cent year-on-year.

Bond listings more than doubled year-on-year to S$16.5 billion, and were up 22 per cent from January.

The biggest listings were Hutchison Whampoa International’s US$500-million 2017 Guaranteed Notes and US$1-billion 2022 Guaranteed Notes; DBS Bank’s US$1-billion 2017 Notes; Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ’s US$1-billion 2017 Senior Notes; and Reliance Holding USA’s US$1-billion 2022 Guaranteed Senior Notes.