SWF Radar GIC

The Australian writes that, “Singapore’s GIC Real Estate is usually the first port of call when there is a big property deal to be made anywhere in the world. It appears to be dripping with cash, at a time when other buyers have been starved in the credit crisis.”

The Straits Times reports that, “of Singapore Investment Corp and Temasek Holdings, the nation’s investment companies, can take advantage of financial turmoil to add assets instead of being forced into ‘panic’ sales, said Senior Minister of State for Finance, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua on Monday.”

Thomson Reuters reports that, “The Government of Singapore Investment Corp (GIC) said on Thursday its over 9 percent stake in UBS AG will be diluted by the Swiss government’s move to invest 6 billion francs in the embattled lender.”

Tony Tan, deputy chairman and executive director of the Government of Singapore Investment Corp (GIC), is quoted in AsiaOne as saying that, “There is a danger that politicians and policymakers will learn the wrong lessons from the current crisis. In the developed world, this could lead to over-regulation and could stifle the healthy development of the financial sector.”

The Guardian’s Market Forces Live blog writes that, “Shares in British Land have been lifted by news that the Singaporean government has increased its stake in the property group.”

AsiaOne reports that, “Asia and other emerging economies will be a growing focus for the Government of Singapore Investment Corp (GIC) in coming years, said its investment chief [Ng Kok Song] yesterday.”

Financial News reports (subscription required) that, “The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, which has lost almost 60% on its in investment in UBS since December, has decided to switch its investment focus from financial companies to emerging markets and private equity.”

Rachel Ziemba of RGE has produced a profile of the Government Investment Corporation of Singapore (GIC).

Thomson Reuters reports that, “The Government of Singapore Investment Corp (GIC), one of the world’s biggest sovereign funds, said it achieved a real return of 4.5 percent over 20 years to March but saw a tougher environment ahead.”

Thomson Reuters reports that, “The Government of Singapore Investment Corp said on Tuesday the worst of the financial crisis may not be over, but it would continue to scour for opportunistic investments in sectors such as financials.”