Boosting local investments

THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: Do you think special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) will give a fillip to Singapore's equity market?

Lawrence Loh Director, Centre for Governance and Sustainability NUS Business School

Singapore’s equity market has to be progressive to stay viable in the new global setting of increasing sophistication in the investment space. Stock exchanges, in particular, cannot continue to be one-trick ponies in sticking to regular equities sourced through the traditional initial public offering (IPO) route. With the necessary safeguards, SPACs will add to the breadth and depth of investment options for Singapore’s equity market to stay relevant in a changing world. SPACs carry risks for all stakeholders and this can be addressed by adequate regulations and provisions. The adage is most true: nothing ventured, nothing gained. The greatest risk is to do nothing. The last thing we want is to let the world go by.