NEW YORK, 27 June 2014 - Singapore-based investment company, Temasek, opened its US office last night, marking the occasion at a reception attended by the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, and 350 guests and partners from the Americas, as well as Europe and Asia. 

The New York office opening comes as Temasek celebrates the 40^th year of its incorporation as an investment company.  Incorporated in June 1974, Temasek has grown from its initial portfolio of mostly Singapore companies, such as Singapore Airlines and global port operator, PSA International, to become an active investor in Asia, Europe and the Americas. 

Its portfolio of S$215 billion (US$173 billion), as at 31 March 2013, included an increasing 12% exposure to Europe and North America assets.

Temasek’s investments are focused on four themes, to reflect longer term trends:

• Transforming Economies;
• Growing Middle Income Populations;
• Deepening Comparative Advantages; and
• Emerging Champions

"We are a long term investor and owner, celebrating our 40th anniversary this year.  We invest into the longer term trends, and continue to see many opportunities emerge as the global economy rebalances," said Mr Lim Boon Heng, Chairman of Temasek. 

“Our New York office will work closely with our offices in Mexico City and Sao Paolo in Brazil to cover the Americas, both north and south.  They complement our London office which was established in March this year to cover Europe and Africa.  We look to both of them to provide a lift for our portfolio beyond Asia for the longer term,” Mr Lim added.

Temasek’s President Americas and Head of Markets, Mr Boon Sim, said that the Americas offer tremendous opportunities.

“We track investment opportunities that tie to our themes, particularly around emerging champions and deepening comparative advantages.  We would like to partner with companies in the Americas that have strong innovation pipelines or have products and services for which there will be strong demand in growth markets, such as Latin America, Asia and Africa.

“In the past year, we have increased our exposure to the life sciences, technology and energy sectors, and we expect to see more opportunities in the years to come,” he said.

The New York office adds to Temasek’s presence in the Americas, complementing its offices in Mexico City and Sao Paulo.

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More about Temasek

Incorporated in 1974, Temasek is an investment company based in Singapore, with a S$215 billion (US$173 billion) portfolio as at 31 March 2013.

71% of its portfolio by underlying assets are in Asia (including Singapore), with 12% in North America and Europe.  Around 2% is in Latin America.  The remaining 15% is elsewhere; mainly Australia at 13%.

Temasek's portfolio covers a broad spectrum of sectors: financial services; transportation, logistics and industrials; telecommunications, media & technology; life sciences, consumer & real estate; energy & resources.  Its investment themes reflect Temasek’s perspectives on the long term trends:

• Transforming Economies;
• Growing Middle Income Populations;
• Deepening Comparative Advantages; and
• Emerging Champions

Temasek’s Total Shareholder Return since inception in 1974 has been 16% compounded annually in Singapore Dollar terms, or 18% in US Dollar terms.

The company has had a corporate credit rating of AAA/Aaa since its inaugural credit rating in 2004, by rating agencies Standard & Poor's and Moody's respectively.

Temasek has 11 offices around the world, including Sao Paolo in Brazil and Mexico City, which were established in 2008, and London, opened in March 2014.  The remaining offices are all in Asia, including China and India.

For more information on Temasek, please visit www.temasek.com.sg

For the latest Temasek Review 2013, please visit www.temasekreview.com.sg