Singapore central bank seeks feedback on legal changes to facilitate dual listings on SGX and NASDAQ

SINGAPORE, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Singapore's central bank on Friday launched a public consultation on proposed changes to securities laws aimed at facilitating dual listings on the Singapore Exchange SGXL.SI and Nasdaq NDAQ.O.

The proposed amendments include allowing issuers to use a single prospectus across both jurisdictions and shortening Singapore's registration process to align IPO timelines with the United States, the Monetary Authority of Singapore said in a statement.

They also seek to permit certain activities common in the United States, such as forward-looking statements and share buybacks under safe harbour provisions, according to the statement.

The amendments will facilitate the formation of a Global Listing Board by the Singapore Exchange, aimed at making the local bourse more attractive to issuers.

Separately, the Singapore Exchange's regulatory unit also launched a public consultation for the listing rulebook for the Global Listing Board.

Among other requirements, the market regulator is proposing that issuers allocate a minimum of 5% or S$50 million ($38.9 million) of their offerings to designated retail brokerages and that issuers ensure that disclosures made in the United States are also released on SGXNet in a timely manner.

($1 = $1.2861 Singapore dollar)