16 April 2020 – New measures introduced in Singapore to support real estate investment trusts

Type of Intervention: Regulation
Sectors Involved: Central Bank, Finance/Economy
Intervention Categories: Regulatory change; Finance policy and financial aid
Level of Jurisdiction: National
Lead People/Agency: Ministry of Finance, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)

Overview: New Measures to Help REITs Navigate Operating Challenges Posed by COVID-19 – Real estate investment trusts listed on the Singapore Exchange (S-REITs) are given greater flexibility to manage their cash flows and raise funds amidst a challenging operating environment due to COVID-19. These comprise an extension of the deadline for distribution of taxable income by MOF and IRAS (from 3 to 9 months), as well as a raising of the leverage limit (45 % to 50%) and deferment of new regulatory requirements by MAS, to Jan 2022.
Full details here: https://www.mas.gov.sg/news/media-releases/2020/new-measures-to-help-reits-navigate-operating-challenges-posed-by-covid-19

Other links: 1
Type of Justification: No justification given
Evidence/Justification: n/a