SIAS, SGX Launch First Singapore Investment Week

In an attempt to bring investing knowledge to the masses, the Securities Investors Association (Singapore) (SIAS) and the Singapore Exchange (SGX) have launched the inaugural Singapore Investment Week 2012, which will run from August 25 to 31.

“The Singapore Investment Week is yet one event for investors to get educated and updated in their investment knowledge. Over the week, participants will get exposed to investment concepts like value investing and how to build an investment portfolio that provides passive income. In addition, there will be video interviews dated daily onto the website and workshops for investors to get more knowledge to invest wisely,” said Mr David Gerald, President & CEO of SIAS.

Mr Gerald noted that with the rising inflation rate as well as low interest rate, Singaporeans could not afford to keep their savings in the bank for a comfortable retirement.

Hence, SIAS intends to “instil the importance of investing amongst Singaporeans to help them make informed investment decisions,” and the Singapore Investment Week is an important part of the campaign.

“While there is a growing interest amongst Singaporeans to know more about investing, there is still a gap in understanding that there are risks in any investment. Being able to understand the associated risks and, more importantly, their own risk profile and investment style will greatly go towards being a successful investor,” he added.

Supporting the move is SGX, one of SIAS’s main partners for the campaign.

“Like SIAS, SGX is passionate about improving financial literacy, and helping investors understand financial planning and long-term investing. We believe that good investment decisions can only be made if investors are well-informed and have a strong understanding of risks and rewards,” said Magnus Bocker, CEO of SGX.

Over the past few years, SGX has undertaken several programmes to ensure financial literacy.

An online investor education portal called “My Gateway” was launched by the exchange earlier. The portal helps investors by combining educational resources from SGX, SIAS, and brokers all onto one platform. This includes market research and updates, product video-clips and investment.

Further, the SGX Academy also provides more than 200 seminars and courses catering to all levels of investment experience.

For its part, SIAS is also launching an investment guide book, the 3 Dimensions Of Successful Investing, written in collaboration with Sim Kee Boon Institute of Financial Economics, Singapore Management University.

The book, which will soon be available to the public at the SIAS website and in bookstores, provides investors with an introduction to the various investment products, their features and associated risks.

In addition to the book, readers will also have an online resource that is hosted on the SIAS website. The website will also contain additional reading material and chapters covering alternative investments, property and also FOREX.

“Equally important is the need to understand one’s self better and the guide highlights the importance of knowing one’s self, the products and the strategies as a framework to successful investing,” said Mr Gerald.