Plans have been announced for a Singapore Mercantile Exchange (SMX), a new international commodity derivatives exchange in Singapore. It is the first such international exchange trading a diversified range of products on a single platform in Asia. Singapore firm Rajah & Tann will have a representative in the process – partner David Yeow has been appointed as a member of the advisory board.

 

The past few months have seen significant firm activity in Singapore, including new offices from Kennedys, Gibson Dunn and Cains (see separate story) and expansion from Watson Farley. Singapore’s status as a leading financial centre, its role as a gateway to India and its attractiveness as a jurisdiction for arbitration are some of the more common reasons for firms to make the move.