Past version: Effective from 10 Jan 2020 to 06 Feb 2020
| Details | Cross References |
| Issue date: 7 January 2004 17 May 2004 7 June 2006 Effective date: 8 January 2004 1 June 2004 1 September 2006 | Chapter 2 |
1. Introduction
1. This Practice Note explains:
• the Exchange's procedure in granting listing,
• the circumstances under which the Exchange may withdraw the eligibility-to-list letter,
• the principles in dealing with comments the Exchange occasionally receives from the public on listing applications,
• general duties regarding due diligence by sponsors and investigative reports,
• the sponsorship disclosure requirement post-listing,
• director's training and connection to Singapore.
2. Exchange's Procedure
2.1 When the Securities & Futures (Offers of Investments)(Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2002 came into effect on l July 2002, the Exchange's approach in reviewing new listing applications changed. The Exchange moved from a merit-based regime towards a disclosure based regime. Hence, we now concentrate on reviewing the listing application for compliance with the listing requirements (including specific numerical standards and qualitative factors such as the integrity of the management and controlling shareholders of the listing applicants) and disclosure (for trading in the secondary market). The Exchange does not judge (and has never judged) whether the investment would be a good one for investors.
2.2 Based solely on the information provided, including representations made at the time of application and in response to any queries from the Exchange, a conditional eligibility-to-list ("ETL") letter will be issued when it appears to the Exchange that the application satisfies the listing requirements. Listing will not be permitted until all conditions set out in the ETL letter have been satisfied.
2.3 The Exchange may withdraw the ETL letter at any time and in its absolute discretion before the listing, if:—
a. it subsequently becomes aware of any information that is likely to materially affect the issuer's eligibility for a listing. In particular, circumstances having that effect include those that have an adverse material impact on the operations and viability of the issuer or may cast doubt on the integrity of the directors, its management or controlling shareholders; or
b. information submitted at the time of application was false or misleading or there is a material omission whether or not such omission was intentional; or
c. any subsequent material adverse event occurs that renders the issuer not meeting the listing requirements.
3. Comments Received
3.1 The Exchange will give consideration to comments received on the listing application or prospectus from the public (whether anonymous or not).
3.2 All comments will be forwarded to the issue manager.
3.3 If the comments are anonymous, it would be up to the issue manager to take such actions as it deems fit. However, the Exchange may require the issue manager to investigate and report its findings to the Exchange if:—
a. credible material comments regarding the financial information or operations of the issuer are supplied that may affect on the issuer's eligibility for a listing; or
b credible material comments supported by evidence are supplied, in particular, comments regarding the integrity of the directors, management or controlling shareholders.
3.4 If the comments are not anonymous and appear credible and material, the Exchange will normally expect the issue manager to investigate and report its findings to the Exchange. The Exchange may also carry out its own investigation and, where appropriate, enter into correspondence with the person who sent the comments.
3.5 The Exchange may delay the listing until it is satisfied with the findings. The Exchange is not obliged to disclose any findings or its conclusion.
3.6 Where the prospectus has been lodged with the Monetary Authority of Singapore ("MAS"), the Exchange will forward a copy of any comments and the issue manager's findings to the MAS for its consideration on whether to register the prospectus.
4. Due Diligence
4.1 Listing Rule 112B provides that an issue manager must:—
a. discharge its obligations with due care, diligence and skill;
b. in preparing an applicant for a new listing (including an initial public offering, a listing by way of an introduction or a reverse takeover), be satisfied of the various matters set out in Rule 112B(2)(a) and, conduct adequate due diligence; and
c. inform the Exchange of all matters relevant to the listing application that should be brought to the Exchange's attention in a timely manner.
4.2 Issue managers must exercise their own judgment on the nature and extent of due diligence work needed to satisfy themselves and the Exchange. As a sponsor, an issue manager must have knowledge of all relevant facts and circumstances concerning an applicant's ability to meet the Exchange's listing requirements. This means that the issue manager will have taken all reasonable steps to verify the facts and, if requested, will readily be able to confirm them to the Exchange. It also means that the issue manager must be in a position to confirm and substantiate its opinions, such as in respect of the integrity of the management and controlling shareholders, or the applicant's viability, or that the accounts are genuine and conform to applicable standards.
4.3 Issue managers are also expected to continually review their due diligence processes and procedures to see how they might be refined or improved to meet their obligations under the relevant laws, regulations and SGX's listing requirements.
4.4 [Deleted]
5. Verification
5.1 One aspect of an issue manager being able to satisfy the Exchange that it has conducted due diligence may be the existence of independently-sourced information, by a reputable agent, on the applicant or its management or controlling shareholders. The Exchange may request an issue manager to show it the results of any independent verification undertaken.
5.2 Without affecting the issue manager's obligation to undertake due diligence, the Exchange may conduct checks using an agency it appoints. This would not normally increase the processing time for the application or add materially to the overall costs of the IPO. The cost would be borne by the applicant. If the Exchange undertook such a check, it would be likely to involve (as circumstances warranted) —
a. 2 or 3 key persons, and their personal and business backgrounds and integrity, role in the applicant's business, interests in other companies, and any criminal or other records or links to money laundering or organized crime.
b. the applicant's history, structure, accounts, business reputation and development, its related companies, its other businesses, and the influence of key persons.
6. Foreign Applicants' Connection to Singapore
6.1 The Exchange looks at the connection to Singapore of every foreign applicant. This is to ensure sufficient local representation and the ability to take steps in the event of a problem. Rule 221 requires a foreign issuer to have a certain minimum number of resident directors. To meet the objective of sufficient connection, residence means either citizenship or permanent residence status.
6.2 The assessment of an applicant's connection to Singapore is made on a case-by-case basis, and depends on all the circumstances. In addition to Rule 221, the Exchange may ask the applicant also to install company secretarial functions here.
7. Compliance Adviser
7.1 The Exchange may require an applicant to appoint a compliance adviser for a specified period of time after listing.
7.2 The Exchange may require an issuer to appoint a compliance adviser if it breaches the listing rules, particularly if the breaches are repeated or give rise to concerns about the issuer's compliance arrangements.
7.3 The compliance adviser is expected to advise the board on the applicable rules and regulations. The Exchange would normally accept a lawyer, a corporate finance adviser or other professional parties, who are familiar with the rules and regulations applicable to a listed company, to be a compliance adviser.
Amended on 29 September 201129 September 2011 and 10 January 202010 January 2020.