Manulife Investment Management Appointed by MAS to Drive Growth and Liquidity in Singapore’s Equities Market Under Equity Market Development Programme
Posted :
SiNGAPORE — Manulife Investment Management has been appointed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as one of the asset managers under the Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP), a S$5 billion initiative to deepen investor engagement and enhance liquidity in Singapore’s equities market.
The EQDP focuses on actively managed strategies investing in Singapore-listed equities, with an emphasis on small and mid-cap companies to broaden market depth and research coverage.
“We are honoured to be selected to partner with MAS on this important initiative,” said HuiJian Koh, CEO, Manulife Investments, Singapore. “This appointment reinforces our commitment to Singapore. By combining our global capabilities with deep local expertise, we aim to enhance market vibrancy and create long-term value for investors.”
To deliver on this mandate, Manulife Investment Management will launch a Singapore All-Cap Equity strategy that is benchmark-unconstrained and research-driven, with stock selection as the primary source of long-term value. The portfolio will allocate around 40% to small and mid-cap companies, while maintaining significant exposure to large caps to ensure liquidity, scalability, and diversified alpha opportunities.
Manulife Investment Management has over 120 years of investment management experience in Asia, and have managed Singapore equities since 2007, navigating multiple market cycles and consistently delivering strong outcomes. The firm will leverage its ability to raise external capital across institutional, retail, and insurance-linked channels, as well as internally through its balance sheet, to amplify impact and support market development.
“Our Singapore All-Cap Equity strategy reflects our fundamentals-driven approach and disciplined process,” said Hock Fai Chan, Head of Equities, Singapore, Manulife Investment Management. “We see tremendous opportunities in Singapore’s small and mid-cap space, which has historically been under-researched and overlooked. These companies represent high-quality businesses with strong fundamentals and growth potential. The EQDP will serve as a catalyst for greater research coverage and liquidity in this space, creating broader investment opportunities and fostering a more dynamic market for both institutional and retail investors.”
Koh further commented: “This mandate reflects our focus on shaping the future of investment management through delivering long-term value for clients and advancing developmental objectives. Singapore is a key market for Manulife Investment Management, and we remain steadfast in driving progress and supporting its ambition to become a leading investment hub in Asia.”