Singapore. Asia s global precious metals trade hub. Secure, trusted, transparent. Singapore INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISE SINGAPORE. China. Vietnam.

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1 INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISE SINGAPORE Singapore Asia s global precious metals trade hub Secure, trusted, transparent China Vietnam India Singapore Indonesia

2 ASIA IS DRIVING GLOBAL DEMAND FOR GOLD Global investment demand in gold has more than doubled since 2007 to 1,590 tonnes in , with Asia accounting for more than 65% of global physical bar investment. The sharp correction in gold prices in the second quarter of 2013 saw unprecedented levels of physical demand for the metal in Asia. Chinese and Indian consumers, encouraged by the price fall, increased their holdings of gold jewellery, bar and coin investments. Asia clearly is the driver of the rising global demand for gold, underpinned by growing household incomes and a deep cultural affinity for the metal. Rising gold physical bar investment in Asia Tonnes % % % 40% 30% 20% India China Southeast Asia Japan 0 10% Other countries % Asian % of global demand 1 Gold Survey 2013, Thomson Reuters GFMS, April

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4 SINGAPORE IS AT THE HEART OF TRADE FLOWS As Eddie Listori, ANZ s Co-Head of Fixed Income, Currencies & Commodities puts it, Asia is the biggest time zone for the physical flow of gold and Singapore is strategically situated to capture these flows. Singapore is not only located within a seven-hour flight radius to key demand centres of China, India and Southeast Asia, it is also in close proximity to 15% 2 of the world s mining supply of gold (Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines). In addition, more than 30% of the world s scrap gold comes from Asia 3. Asian demand for jewellery and investment comprised 1,925 tonnes in 2012 (60.9% of world demand) Singapore 44% of East Asia s scrap gold comes from Southeast Asia Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines produced 437tonnes of mined gold in 2012 (15% of world mining supply) 4 2 Source: US Geological Survey, Gold Survey 2013, Thomson Reuters GFMS, April 2013

5 ASIA S GLOBAL PRECIOUS METALS HUB Wealth Management Hub The past decade has seen Singapore emerge as a global private banking centre. Singapore not only offers economic and political stability, it also has a strong, efficient and transparent legal and judicial framework. Physical allocation of gold in the portfolios of wealthy investors has been growing, in contrast to the outflow on gold-backed financial products. Against the uncertain global macroeconomic backdrop, both private and institutional clients have been demanding for their physical gold to be stored in a neutral and alternate location. Singapore has the largest pool of private banking assets in Asia, with US$516 billion in International Wealth Management Centre Rankings, Deloitte Consulting, 2013 Singapore is well-positioned to accommodate the growing demand for physical precious metals, riding on its reputation as a wealth management hub. This has resulted in the set-up of dedicated gold vaults by several bullion banks such as ANZ Bank, Deutsche Bank and UBS. In fact, this is the Swiss bank s first gold vault outside Switzerland. Singapore is the world s most stable wealth management hub Deloitte Consulting International Wealth Management Centre Rankings Stability Ranking, 2013 Overall category ranking (weighted) Wealth management centre Financial stability Political stability Monetary stability 1 Singapore Hong Kong Switzerland

6 Strong Government Support The Singapore Government is dedicated to making Singapore a precious metals trading hub. Since October 2012, investment precious metals (IPM) have been exempted from Goods & Services Tax (GST) 4 ; These tax changes were enacted in recognition that IPM are essentially financial assets, just like other actively-traded financial instruments where supplies are GST-exempt as well as to facilitate the development of IPM refining and trading in Singapore. There are no licensing requirements for the import/ export of metals, ensuring the free flow of such metals through Singapore with minimal hassle. In addition, approved refiners or consolidators will enjoy GST suspension on imports for inputs to the processing of IPM in Singapore 5. World Class Physical Infrastructure Beyond a competitive tax structure, Singapore s infrastructure can support the expected uptick in gold trading activity. To meet the regional demand for gold, Metalor Technologies has chosen Singapore to construct a gold refinery and bullion product manufacturing plant. In June 2013, Metalor Singapore cast its first kilo bar thus officially starting its operations here. On secure storage, the establishment of the Singapore Freeport in 2010 provided Asia with its own Fort Knox. Modelled after the Swiss Freeport, the facility is outfitted with cutting-edge security and is the only one of its kind in Asia. Located next to Singapore s Changi International Airport, it offers 22,000 sqm of strong rooms and show rooms with direct access to the airport runway and 24/ 7 armed guards. A wealth of secure logistics providers, including established logistics players Malca Amit, Brink s and other service providers operate the vaults in the Singapore Freeport, providing experience and expertise in precious metal-handling. These companies offer tailor-made logistical solutions for shipping and storage of precious metals for investments banks, private banks and bullion dealers. Beyond the Singapore Freeport, Malca Amit also operates Singapore s first dedicated silver vault of 200-tonne capacity to meet the demand for physical precious metal storage in Singapore. 6 4 Investment precious metals (IPM) are defined as gold of at least 99.5% purity, silver of at least 99.9% purity or platinum of at least 99% purity; they must be produced by LBMA/LPPMaccredited refiners. Please refer to Annex 1 for more details. 5 Approved Refiner and Consolidator Scheme (ARCS). Please refer to Annex 2 for more details.

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8 8 METALOR OPENS FIRST SOUTHEAST ASIAN REFINERY IN SINGAPORE

9 What made Metalor expand its operations in Asia through a refinery in Singapore? As the largest share of bullion demand is in Asia, the region (especially Southeast Asia) experiences a structural deficit in precious metals, despite being a major producer. The gold bar sold in Singapore has been transported twice: the first time on its way out to Switzerland or Australia for refining and the second time on its way back as a finished product. Such an imbalance generates additional costs that can be minimised if the refining is performed regionally. What are Metalor s current plans for your Singapore refinery? We are expanding our Singapore refinery in stages: we are currently operating a small refining workshop and evaluation platform and preparing the LBMA accreditation. The facility currently has a capacity of 1 tonne per week of kilo gold bars. Early 2014, we will have a refining capacity of 1 tonne per week and expand our bullion manufacturing capacity to 2 tonnes per week. At this stage, we will be able to refine both high grade (more than 90% gold) and carat grade (more than 70% gold) materials. In the next two stages of expansion, we will increase the capacity and capability of our refining process by upgrading our gold refining capacity to 3 tonnes per week, starting our silver refining capacity of 2 tonnes per week and expanding our bullion manufacturing to include smaller cast bars as well as minted bars. We expect the entire facility to be completed by Gilles Robert Country Manager Metalor Technologies 9

10 SINGAPORE S PRECIOUS METALS TRADING ECOSYSTEM Sumitomo Global Commodities ANZ Mitsubishi Corp RtM Metalor Technologies INTL Certis Cisco Barclays Malca Amit JP Morgan UOB Deutsche Bank Brink s Kaloti Standard Merchant Bank UBS YLG Bullion Standard Chartered Bank 10

11 6,606 flights operate every week 108 scheduled airlines Canada Norway Sweden Finland Russia USA Brazil United Kingdom Netherlands Belgium Luxembourg Switzerland Denmark Poland Germany Czech Republic Austria Georgia Italy Azerbaijan China Hungary South Korea Turkey Japan Greece Syria Kuwait Nepal Taiwan Bahrain Bangladesh Hong Kong Egypt United Arab Qatar Myanmar Macau Emirates Nigeria Saudi Arabia India Laos Vietnam Oman Thailand Cambodia Maldives Ethiopia Malaysia Philippines Sri Lanka Brunei Kenya Papua New Guinea France Spain Singapore Indonesia Timor-Leste South Africa Mauritius Madagascar Australia New Zealand 62 country links 256 cities connected to Changi International Airport 11

12 SINGAPORE CONTINUES TO BE THE WORLD S EASIEST PLACE TO DO BUSINESS Singapore ranked easiest place to do business for 7 years running Doing Business, World Bank Group, 2013 Recognised globally as one of the most competitive economies in the world Economist Intelligence Unit Hot Spots: Benchmarking Global City Competitiveness, 2012 World Economic Forum The Global Competitiveness Index, New York 1 Switzerland 2 London 2 Singapore 3 Singapore 3 Finland Acknowledged as the economy most open to and conducive for trading World Economic Forum Global Enabling Trade Report, 2012 The World Bank Group Ease of Doing Business Report Trading Across Borders index, Singapore 1 Singapore 2 Hong Kong 2 Hong Kong 3 Denmark 3 Korea, Republic of 12

13 HOW INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISE (IE) SINGAPORE CAN GROW YOUR PRECIOUS METALS BUSINESS IN ASIA PACIFIC International Enterprise (IE) Singapore is the government agency driving Singapore s external economy. We spearhead the overseas growth of Singapore-based companies and promote international trade. Trade has always been the backbone of Singapore s economy. In addition to promoting export of goods and services, IE Singapore also attracts global commodities traders to establish their global or Asian home base in Singapore. Today, Singapore is a thriving trading hub with a complete ecosystem for the energy, agri-commodities and metals & minerals trading clusters. Renowned worldwide for their dedication to quality and innovation, Singapore-based companies make ideal business partners. With our global network in over 35 locations spanning many developed and emerging markets, we connect businesses with relevant Singapore-based companies for their business expansion by: helping to identify and cultivate relationships with Singapore-based partners that have a pan-asian or global presence keeping companies abreast of the latest business trends and opportunities in Asia Visit for more information. 13

14 Annex 1 GST Exemption of Investment Precious Metals Investment precious metals (IPM) have been exempt of goods and services tax or VAT since October This is in recognition that IPM are essentially financial assets, just like other actively traded financial instruments (e.g. stocks, bonds) where supplies are GST-exempt, as well as to facilitate the development of IPM refining and trading in Singapore. Criteria for exemption To qualify for GST exemption, the precious metal must meet all of the following criteria (a, b, c, d): (a) It is gold of at least 99.5% purity, silver of at least 99.9% purity or platinum of at least 99% purity (b) For gold and silver, it must be produced by a refiner in the current or former Good Delivery list of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). For platinum, it must be produced by a refiner in the current or former Good Delivery of the London Platinum & Palladium Market (LPPM). If the refiner is not in current or former Good Delivery lists of LBMA (for gold and silver) and LPPM (for platinum), it needs to intend to and is endorsed by International Enterprise (IE) Singapore. (c) Bears a mark or characteristic that is internationally accepted as guaranteeing its quality. An example is the hallmark of a refiner in the Good Delivery list of the LBMA/ LPPM stamped on the bar, ingot or wafer. (d) Trades at a price based on the spot price of the precious metal it contains. To provide certainty to businesses, coins (excluding the proof, numismatic versions) that qualify as IPM are: Gold coins (i) America Buffalo (ii) Australia Kangaroo Nugget (iii) Australia Lunar (iv) Austria Philharmoniker (v) Canada Maple Leaf (vi) China Panda (vii) Malaysia Kijang Emas (viii) Mexico Libertad (ix) Singapore Lion (x) United Kingdom Britannia* Silver coins (i) America Eagle (ii) Australia Kookaburra (iii) Australia Koala (iv) Australia Lunar (v) Austria Philharmoniker (vi) Canada Maple Leaf (vii) China Panda (viii) Mexico Libertad (ix) United Kingdom Britannia* Platinum coins (i) America Eagle (ii) Australia Koala (iii) Australia Platypus (iv) Canada Maple Leaf Permit requirements for importation of IPM A TradeNet GST Relief and/ or Duty Exemption permit is required to be declared prior to the importation of IPM into Singapore if the CIF value of IPM exceeds S$400. For more details on permit requirements, please refer to Singapore Customs circular on Exemption of Goods And Services Tax for Investment Precious Metals at > News & Events > Circulars > 2012 Circulars. Alternatively, you may choose from a list of third-party declaring agents provided on the Singapore customs website to declare your IPM permit. For more information on the importation and exemption of IPM, please refer to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) e-tax Guide GST: Guide on Exemption of Investment Precious Metals (IPM) at > Quick links > e-tax Guides > Enhanced Search for e-tax Guides. 14 *UK Gold/Silver Britannia minted from 2013 onwards

15 Annex 2 Approved Refinery and Consolidator Scheme (ARCS) Conditions of eligibility for the ARCS To be eligible for ARCS, you must satisfy the following conditions: (a) You must be a GST-registered business; You must be registered with the Comptroller of GST as a GST-registered person. Please refer to the e-tax Guide on Do I Need to Register? for information on GST registration. (b) You must be a qualifying refiner or consolidator; A qualifying refiner is one which satisfies the following requirements: (i) Accredited under the LBMA/ LPPM: On the current Good Delivery list of the LBMA (for gold and silver); On the current Good Delivery list of the LPPM (for platinum); In the case of new refiners in Singapore which have yet to attain the accreditation, they need to be endorsed of IE Singapore and intend to be on the Good Delivery list of LBMA or LPPM. The refiner must attain the accreditation on the Good Delivery list of LBMA/LPPM within the time period specified in IE Singapore s endorsement. IE s endorsement is dependent on the refiner s willingness and ability to attain LBMA/ LPPM good delivery status in Singapore. (ii) Makes or intends to make substantial supplies of newly-refined IPM or refining services of IPM. For this purpose, the refiner s supplies of newly-refined IPM and/ or refining services for IPM must constitute more than 50% of its total supplies. Example As percentage of total supplies Supplies of newly-refined IPM (a) Supplies of refining services for IPM (b) (a) + (b) Qualify for ARCS? Refiner A 70% 10% 80% Yes Refiner B 25% 65% 90% Yes Refiner C 35% 30% 65% Yes Refiner D 10% 20% 30% No A qualifying consolidator is one which consolidates or aggregates materials (for example, raw materials or scrap gold) to be directly: supplied to a refiner that meets the requirements set out above, for the purpose of the refiner refining the goods into IPM; and/ or delivered to a refiner that meets the requirements set out above, under an arrangement with the refiner to refine the goods for him into IPM. To access the latest document for the ARCS scheme administered by IRAS, please refer to the following link: > Quick links > e-tax Guides > In the keyword search type ARCS 15

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