Assn. of Financial and Commodity Traders formed

Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX), joined by a group of its Trading Members, has launched the Association of Financial and Commodity Traders (Singapore) or AFACT and aims to double the number of traders to 1,500. AFACT intends to create a unified platform to represent the interests of professional derivatives traders with SGX membership.

Professional training will be the key focus of the association, aiming to improve the knowledge, efficiency and understanding of the financial industry through increased interaction with market practitioners and joint collaboration with industry partners. SGX and the inaugural AFACT Executive Committee have previously launched the professional trader training programme under SGX Academy in January 2009, in an effort to attract new traders to the industry as well as enhance the capabilities of existing traders.

AFACT President, Mr Ng Tee How, said, "With the increasing complexities and sophistication of the financial markets, derivatives traders need to come together to better understand and manage our risks and rewards as full-time trading professionals. This is especially important as markets go international and are increasingly inter-dependent. AFACT aims to serve that purpose by increasing the sophistication and knowledge of our traders, and working with the relevant agencies to promote the interests of Singapore's capital market."

Supported by a mentorship scheme for new trainers to learn from industry veterans, the programme aims to create a pool of new-generation traders equipped with top-tier capabilities in executing complex trading strategies and who possess speed of execution, strong trading psychology and discipline. The number of traders is expected to double from the current 720 count to 1,500 within three years.