Programme

Registration

7:45am

Power Breakfast

8:00am

End of Power Breakfast

8:45am

Welcome Speech by IMAS Chairman

9:00am

Jenny Sofian, Chairman of IMAS and Chief Executive Officer of Fullerton Fund Management

Opening Address by Guest of Honour

9:10am

Fireside Chat

9:30am

Break & Networking

10:15am

The Next Frontier: AI as a Catalyst for Change

10:45am

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a niche technology—it’s a transformative force reshaping global markets, industries, and societies. From healthcare and finance to education and infrastructure, AI is unlocking unprecedented opportunities for growth, efficiency, and innovation. Yet, with this promise comes profound questions about governance, ethics, and the future of work.

This panel brings together visionary leaders, technologists, and policymakers to explore how AI can drive sustainable progress while balancing risk and responsibility. Join us as we examine the breakthroughs redefining business models, the role of data in shaping competitive advantage, and the frameworks needed to ensure inclusive and ethical adoption.

Panel Discussion: Singapore’s Equity Renaissance – Buyside’s Role in Sustaining Momentum

11:15am

Singapore’s equity market is on the rise. The Straits Times Index (STI) has comfortably surged past its 2007 highs, and small- to mid-cap counters are also seeing renewed interest with improved liquidity and valuations. Large IPOs—including REITs and corporates— are making a comeback, propelling Singapore into the ranks of the top 10 IPO markets globally. 

Hear more from industry leaders who have been driving the MAS Equity Market Review Group (EMRG) measures to transform the market, including: 

• S$5 Billion EQDP funding to broaden buyside participation in Singapore
• Tax incentives to attract new market participants
• Research grants to deepen market knowledge
• Initiatives driving shareholder value focus

Whether you're already active in Singapore or looking to expand your footprint, this is your opportunity to engage, learn, and contribute to the market’s next chapter. 

Closing Remarks

12:00pm

Lunch & Networking

12:15pm

Masterclasses

2:00pm - 3:30pm - Masterclasses (Part 1)

Masterclass 1: The Macroeconomic & Equity Market Implications of Artificial Intelligence for Asia in a Global Context

As the infrastructure buildout and adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) gain momentum, questions arise as to the macroeconomic and equity market implications of this General Purpose Technology. How could growth and labor markets, inflation, interest rates, inequality and government balance sheets be affected, especially in Asia? Which countries stand to benefit, and why? Equity markets globally have already responded, favoring companies that provide or operate the underlying AI infrastructure, pushing valuations of some stocks to potentially “bubbly” levels. Will markets eventually transition towards rewarding AI adopters, and if so, what sectors might outperform? This masterclass is designed to equip senior investment professionals and board members with a comprehensive understanding of potential macroeconomic effects of the adoption of AI, as well as of the public equity market impact at the overall index and industry levels. The discussion material will be grounded in the latest academic literature, as well as market research by brokers, funds and others.

Key Themes of the Masterclass

• Understanding the forces that are likely to shape macroeconomic outcomes of the adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Asia and worldwide
• Review of the empirical evidence of hypothesized economic impacts
• Analysis of trading patterns observed in equity markets regarding the AI-theme
• Discussion of the state of AI adoption among listed corporates on a market and sector level, as well as considerations of future market implications

Trainer:

• Felix Momsen, Managing Director (Public Equities), GIC

Masterclass 2: ETF - Tools for Modern Asset Management

The global ETF market has surged past USD 18 trillion, reshaping how investors access markets, manage portfolios, and express investment views. In this Masterclass, industry experts will unpack what’s driving this phenomenal growth, explore the evolving dynamics between active and passive investing, and examine how Factors and Thematic strategies are redefining indices.

Whether you represent a sovereign wealth fund, pension fund, insurer, private bank, or asset manager, this session will equip you with the knowledge to navigate today’s sophisticated ETF landscape with confidence.

Key Themes of the Masterclass

• ETF Market Growth & Investor Adoption: What’s driving the $18 trillion ETF market and why investors are embracing ETFs.
• Flows & Trends: Which asset classes, regions, countries, sectors, and factors, are attracting the most inflows / outflows.
• Evolution of Index Investing: From “plain vanilla” benchmarks to Factors and Thematic indices; blurring lines between active and passive.
• Investor Use Cases: How various investors (sovereign and pension funds, insurers, private banks, family offices, asset managers) utilise ETFs for Core and Tactical allocations, Interim Beta, and Liquidity management.
• ETF Selection beyond Size and Fees: What are the key factors to consider when selecting an ETF — index design, domicile and tax implications, replication strategy, tracking quality, trading cost.
• Performance & Alpha: Can ETFs outperform their benchmarks? Understand the drivers of alpha, tracking difference vs. tracking error, and premium/discount dynamics.
• Physical vs Synthetic ETFs: When does synthetic ETF makes sense? What are the counterparty risks, how they are mitigated, and regulatory safeguards for investors.
• Liquidity & Execution: How can investors trade large sizes beyond the trading volume on exchange?

Trainers:

• Ogar Widjaja, Head of Xtrackers Sales, South-East Asia
• Jonathan Shyong, Vice President, Xtrackers Coverage Specialist

Masterclass 3: Retirement Reimagined: Multi-Asset Strategies for a Longer Life

As Asia’s investor base matures and longevity reshapes financial planning, retirement investing is no longer a niche; it’s a critical pillar of wealth management. This masterclass explores how multi-asset solutions can address the dual challenges of accumulation and decumulation, delivering resilient outcomes for individuals and institutions.

Participants will gain insights into:

• Why retirement changes everything: Why rising life expectancy and behavioral biases demand innovative approaches beyond traditionally available investment products.
• Make the right choice when planning for retirement: How can investors navigate the Paradox of Choice and why is financial advice essential.
• Exploring multi-asset frameworks for optimal outcomes: Considerations in structuring solutions to meet evolving investor needs.

Trainers:

• Andy Budden, Head of Solutions, Europe & Asia, Capital Group
• Zijian Yang, Solutions Investment Director, Capital Group

</

Masterclasses

3:45pm - 5:00pm

Masterclasses (Part 2)
<p></p>

<p></p>

End of Masterclass

5:00pm

Keynote Address

2:00pm

Chia Der Jiun, Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore (TBC)

Fireside Chat: “The SGX–Nasdaq Dual-Listing Bridge: What It Means for Asia”

2:20pm

• How the dual-listing bridge will work operationally
• Regulatory alignment and reduced friction
• Expected issuer profile (≥S$2B market cap; Asian nexus; global ambitions)
• Opportunities for brokers, market makers, and asset managers
• How buy-side and sell-side can benefit from near-continuous price discovery

Panel Discussion: “Unlocking Value for Singapore-Listed Companies”

2:50pm

• What the S$30m Value Unlock Package aims to achieve
• Strengthening equity research, investor communication & capital optimisation
• What listed companies must do to sharpen valuation narratives
• How brokers and analysts can support improved coverage
• How the buy-side evaluates shareholder value creation in SG-listed names

Panel Discussion: “EQDP: Growing Participation & Broadening Investor Base in Singapore Equities”

3:30pm

• How EQDP managers are deploying capital and supporting market liquidity
• Perspectives on attracting global investors to SG equities
• Role of cornerstone capital in the new SGX–Nasdaq Board
• How brokers can strengthen distribution and research pathways
• Multi-year outlook for Singapore’s equity ecosystem
• What is needed to push ADVT higher and sustain momentum

Announcement of Programme Details by MAS/SGX: Market Structure Enhancements for 2026

4:10pm

Lightning Insights: Buy-Side Meets Sell-Side: “How Do We Build a More Attractive Singapore Market Together?”

4:30pm

End of Forum

5:00pm