Addressing the seminar on `IT and Stock Markets' at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore on Tuesday, Ms Chew said the exchange had a strong mix of sectors listed on it, of which, the manufacturing in high-tech electronics and IT services were the two fastest growing segments.

In 2000, 84 new companies (29 technology companies) listed in SGX as against 11 new companies in 1999, she said, adding that the new companies raised around S$3.4 billion.

The Singapore market, which was the hub for the entire Asian region had remained stable despite the downward trend of the global markets, she added.

"We have put in place a flexible and easy listing policies and a fairly low threshold with a view to attract investors and companies. For a listing on the exchange the company could be based anywhere in the world but has to issue a minimum of 25 per cent of share capital to the public while listing," Ms Chew said.

As part of the exchanges' plan to attract global participation, SGX has also permitted free negotiation of brokerage charges and dual membership of both securities and the derivatives markets.

Free choice of trading currency - Singapore/US/HongKong dollar, and free choice of functional/reporting currency - Singapore/US dollar, Indian rupees has also been facilitated.

"SGX will be an ideal exchange for companies to list on considering the access and opportunity it provides the company to access the Pan-Asia market. The availability of specialised analysts in Asian stocks is also an advantage. Listing on the exchange to raise capital and build the company's business in Asia will go hand in hand," Ms Chew said.