SINGAPORE - Singapore is benefiting from rising intra-Asia trade and investment as ASEAN companies expand across borders and more Chinese businesses look overseas for growth opportunities.Many are choosing the Republic as the location for their regional headquarters and as a platform to access capital, said Michael Roberts, HSBC chief executive for corporate and institutional banking.Singapore’s position is expected to strengthen further once the Singapore Exchange (SGX)-Nasdaq dual listing framework is fully operational, providing companies with greater access to both regional and global pools of capital, he noted.Intra-Asia trade deepened in 2025, driven by global tariff pressures and supply chain diversification. Intra-regional trade now accounts for more than half of Asia’s total trade, with strong corridors including China-Vietnam, Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore and India-Bangladesh.This broader shift is also reflected in corporate strategy, as Asian firms dial up their focus on Asia.Among Asian firms, 41 per cent plan to increase their reliance on South-east Asia, 34 per cent plan to increase their reliance on East and North Asia, and 29 per cent plan to increase their reliance on South Asia, according to survey findings released by HSBC in November 2025.Roberts, speaking to The Straits Times at HSBC’s office at Marina Bay Financial Centre, noted that the Republic is well-positioned to attract companies to set up their bases here.There are several reasons for this. Singapore’s geopolitical neutrality, deep talent pool – especially in technology – and vibrant start-up ecosystem, supported by a strong venture capital community, make it an attractive destination for innovative businesses, said Roberts.The number of foreign companies’ headquarters in Singapore increased by 33.8 per cent from about 770 in 2019 to about 1,030 in 2024, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong in a written parliamentary reply in April.Roberts expects the SGX-Nasdaq dual listing bridge, set to debut in mid-2026, to be a major draw for companies, particularly those in the technology sector. The ability to list on both the SGX and Nasdaq will give firms access to a broader investor base, while Nasdaq’s strong appeal to tech companies makes the proposition especially attractive.“Having that dual listing opportunity is a boon for Singapore and certainly very helpful support for those companies. It gives companies the option of raising capital in both Singapore and the US,” he said, adding that the advantage is better valuations, deeper liquidity and greater investor reach.HSBC expects its innovation banking network to help companies tap opportunities arising from the launch of the SGX-Nasdaq dual listing framework.In October 2025, HSBC launched its innovation banking services in Singapore to support venture-backed businesses and their investors, offering sector expertise, specialised products, tailored financing solutions and access to new opportunities through the bank’s global network.It also pledged US$1.5 billion (S$1.94 billion) in the Republic to meet the funding needs of Singapore-based venture-backed start-ups and their investors.The initiative has benefited HSBC clients such as LionsBot, a Singapore-founded cleaning robotics designer and manufacturer.The firm is scaling globally, with Europe now its largest market, and launching its next-generation R5 autonomous cleaning robot that comes equipped with a 360-degree turning capability for commercial use in 2026.HSBC, with a global network of 56 markets, is helping the firm ramp up through working capital solutions to support production scale-up, and international banking capabilities to enable cross-border expansion.The bank further supports LionsBot in areas such as potential IPO readiness as the company prepares for its next phase of growth.Roberts said: “We help them grow to be bigger companies and get to a point where they can do a listing. We advise them on the best way to create a capital structure prior to listing, and then we actually help them list in Singapore.”Singapore is HSBC group’s fifth-largest profit contributor, with one of the largest balance sheets outside of Hong Kong.The Republic plays a key role in the bank’s international wealth strategy. HSBC has been investing in Singapore, including doubling technology spending over five years and opening four wealth centres since 2024.HSBC is also strengthening its transaction banking platforms and product capabilities here.