Lee Su Shyan

Singapore

Money Editor at The Straits Times

The Straits Times Money Editor.

Featured in: Favicon

straitstimes.com Favicon

caixinglobal.com Favicon

flipboard.com Favicon

businesstimes.com.sg

Articles

Drawing secondary listings to SGX may not move the needle much, but every little bit helps

1 week ago | businesstimes.com.sg | Lee Su Shyan

AMONG the recent slew of proposals unveiled to boost the attractiveness of the local bourse to investors and companies was one relating to secondary listings. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) proposes aligning disclosure requirements with baseline international disclosure standards, which are already commonly adopted by most established markets, including Singapore.
Private dining and private markets: Approach both with caution

1 month ago | businesstimes.com.sg | Lee Su Shyan

[singapore] Privatedining has taken off in Singapore, with many options at homes run by enterprising home cooks or even former chefs who want to run their own show. Meanwhile, private markets are an asset class that has long been restricted to the fabulously wealthy, but access is slowly extending to affluent individuals and retail investors. I reckon both share a few traits in common, apart from having “private” in their title.
More nominee shareholders, accounts could be detrimental to investor protection

1 month ago | businesstimes.com.sg | Lee Su Shyan

[SINGAPORE] The travails of Dasin Retail Trust (DRT) unitholders continue. From a unit price of around S$0.80 in 2020, the counter’s value has practically evaporated to a paltry S$0.02 as at Apr 21, 2025. The trust’s market capitalisation of around S$16 million is barely enough to buy a starter bungalow. Some of the loss in value is due to the regulatory clampdown on property financing in China, where DRT has a portfolio of retail malls, in the cities of Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Foshan.
Citi transformation pays off amid tariff troubles, with room for optimism

1 month ago | businesstimes.com.sg | Lee Su Shyan

[SINGAPORE] In 1902, Citi established an office in Singapore. Fast forward 123 years, Citi has thrived and grown along with Singapore and has a much larger presence here. But with US President Donald Trump imposing hefty tariffs right, left and centre, will banking and trade activities be derailed? When asked for his reaction to the developments, Citi’s head of international Ernesto Torres Cantu told The Business Times: “We are seeing a fundamental shift in global trade and capital flows.
As Trump unleashes mayhem, keep calm and carry on; reading more might help

1 month ago | businesstimes.com.sg | Lee Su Shyan

NOT too long ago, I met a well-respected senior figure who, as he talked about this and that and the general state of the world, said that it was important to have ideas. What he meant, I reckon, was that business leaders in particular needed to have ideas or at least have people around them who could provide valuable insights and suggestions. Ideas are the fundamental step in taking a business forward.
Best, but not necessarily the biggest: Piyush Gupta on DBS’ transformation

2 months ago | businesstimes.com.sg | Lee Su Shyan

Outgoing CEO talks about working across teams, being data-driven and having a purpose Published Wed, Mar 26, 2025 · 08:50 PM[SINGAPORE] When DBS in 2015 set its sights on being recognised as the world’s best bank, there was scepticism within the management ranks. In terms of the size of assets, DBS was not within spitting distance of the world’s top 10 banks and still is not. It is the largest in South-east Asia though.
Transforming and developing a bank, the Japanese way

2 months ago | businesstimes.com.sg | Lee Su Shyan

Under a new scheme, staff are posted overseas for six months to take a different role; this overseas working experience facilitates communication among colleaguesPublished Sun, Mar 23, 2025 · 06:30 PM[Singapore] Mizuho Bank in Singapore may not be a household name to the man in the street. That is probably because the bank which is part of Japan’s Mizuho Financial Group caters to corporate clients – some 3,000 of them – and not retail customers.
A good deal for Li Ka-Shing but a less certain outlook for global shipping

2 months ago | businesstimes.com.sg | Lee Su Shyan

The tycoon walks away with a handsome cash pile, but the shipping industry will have to see how this mega-deal plays out for themPublished Wed, Mar 12, 2025 · 05:00 AM[SINGAPORE] You’ve got to hand it to Li Ka-Shing. At the age of 96, the Hong Kong tycoon manages to ink a US$22.8 billion deal at a generous valuation. Last week, BlackRock and Terminal Investment Limited (TIL) announced that they would be buying CK Hutchison’s ports business. The Hong Kong conglomerate is owned by the Li family.
Reviving SGX is not the endgame - creating a vibrant financial ecosystem is

Feb 19, 2025 | businesstimes.com.sg | Lee Su Shyan

IT IS somewhat counterintuitive that shares of the Singapore Exchange (SGX) have weakened since the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) review group on Feb 13 announced tax incentives as part of measures to boost the equities market. SGX is down some 5.6 per cent even as the Straits Times Index is hitting new highs, albeit driven by the bank counters. It is clear that the intent of the tax moves is to encourage listings.
More moves expected to promote innovation in Budget 2025, say industry watchers

Feb 16, 2025 | businesstimes.com.sg | Lee Su Shyan

Published Sun, Feb 16, 2025 · 04:07 PMMoves to enhance Singapore’s position as an innovation hub are expected to continue in Budget 2025, said industry watchers. Targeted tax incentives, grants or co-funding schemes could encourage companies to invest in areas that drive both business and societal impact. This will enhance Singapore’s reputation as a future-ready economy, said Ajay Kumar Sanganeria, KPMG’s head of tax in Singapore.