KUALA LUMPUR/SINGAPORE: Singapore is set to be 2017's hottest spot for initial public offerings (IPOs) in tropical Southeast Asia with sales of stakes in business and real estate trusts, while currency volatility and weak investor sentiment curb deals elsewhere in the region.Singapore's stock exchange has promoted itself as a centre for business trusts and real estate investment trusts (REITs), which offer stable dividends. "We think that there is a healthy pipeline out there. Listings planned include property developer Eco World International Bhd and fast-food restaurateur QSR Brands, which are looking to raise $478 million and $500 million respectively. "We see global IPO markets picking up and we also see our IPO market picking up," Commission chairman Ranjit Ajit Singh said on the sidelines of an industry event on Thursday. "Our estimates are around 7 billion ringgit ($1.6 billion)."

Source: The Star January 16, 2017 00:05 UTC