The Monetary Authority of Singapore appointed a third batch of five asset managers under the SGD 6.5 billion Equity Market Development Programme and will place SGD 1.45 billion with them. This brings total programme allocations to SGD 5.4 billion across 14 managers. It also committed SGD 20 million from the Financial Sector Development Fund to a new Grant for Equity Market Singapore market making grant, advancing measures recommended by the Equities Market Review Group to strengthen Singapore’s equities market. Amundi, Franklin Templeton, HSBC Asset Management, M&G Investments and Natixis Investment Managers are expected to use their global distribution networks to attract international capital seeking exposure to Singapore and the region. The grant will support appointed market makers through Dec. 31, 2028, initially covering around 80 eligible small and midsize stocks listed on SGX, as well as newly listed stocks. It is intended to tighten bid ask spreads, lower execution costs and improve price discovery. The eligible stock list will be reviewed regularly, while MAS expects to complete its review of proposals for a fourth batch of asset managers in 2027.