Aviva Investors has received a Capital Markets Services Licence in Fund Management from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
The licence will allow Aviva Investors to provide funds management services in Singapore to retail and institutional investors across segregated mandates, closed and open-ended funds.
Aviva Investors Asia Pacific chief executive Craig Bingham said the company had viewed Singapore as a core market for some time and had been keen to expand capabilities to meet growing client demand in the region.
"This is a significant milestone that enables us to build on our growing reputation for real estate funds management in Asia and also gives us the opportunity to build our locally based fixed income and equities investment expertise," Bingham said.
The two funds have announced the signing of a non-binding MOU to explore a potential merger.
The board must shift its focus from managing inflation to stimulating the economy with the trimmed mean inflation figure edging closer to the 2.5 per cent target, economists have said.
ASIC chair Joe Longo says superannuation trustees must do more to protect members from misconduct and high-risk schemes.
Super fund mergers are rising, but poor planning during successor fund transfers has left members and employers exposed to serious risks.