SINGAPORE (Jan 25): Since its establishment as a trading post under the British East India Company, Singapore has flourished as a trade and financial services hub.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the settlement developed as an entrepot between the East and West, and traders from Europe and merchants from China and Malaya came and set up shop.
Many of these enterprises became household names and stalwarts of Singapore industry.
A large number became public companies, tapping the capital markets for growth.
In 1883, Scotsmen John Fraser and David Neave set up a soft drinks production company called the Singapore and Straits Aerated Water Co.
In 1898, it became a public company known as Fraser and Neave.
Together with Dutch company Heineken in 1931, it formed a beer joint venture that became Asia Pacific Breweries.
In 1990, F&N ventured into the property business through Centrepoint Properties.
In 2013, the property, publishing and drinks group was acquired by Thai tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi.
F&N is now 59.25%-owned by TCC Assets and 28.48%-owned by Thai Beverage, which is listed on the Singapore Exchange.
In our story “Corporate Singapore: Building on the past, banking on the future” this week, we provide a historical snapshot of the 30 component stocks on the Straits Times Index and their 10-year performance.
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