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Feature | WGC – Year in Review

By Andrew Naylor, Head of ASEAN and Public Policy, World Gold Council

Published on January 12, 2021
SGE head office in Shanghai

In this unprecedented year, gold has once again come to the fore as the asset of choice for investors looking for safety, diversification and portfolio growth and protection. Whilst consumer demand has declined, primarily due to coronavirus-related lockdowns and the record-high gold price, investment demand has offset these weaknesses. A combination of economic uncertainty and a low interest rate environment will likely be supportive of gold going forward.

INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTION

One of the World Gold Council’s strategic priorities is making the case for gold to institutional asset managers and owners worldwide. To that end we have built out an investment marketing and distribution function in Singapore to focus on institutional asset ownership in the country and the region. Over US$3.5 trillion of assets are managed out of Singapore, making it one of the top wealth management centres globally.

To increase awareness of the role of gold in portfolios we have produced a number of tools and reports this year, including one on the case for gold in Singapore – our research team analysed a typical SGD-denominated portfolio and assessed the impact and relevance of an allocation to gold. Looking ahead to 2021, we will be launching similar analysis for other markets, including Australia, and we will be publishing our annual outlook in January.

We recently updated Qaurum, our gold valuation framework and web-based quantitative tool that helps investors intuitively understand the drivers of gold’s performance. Specifically, Qaurum demonstrates how gold may react across different macroeconomic environments.

SINGAPORE MARKET DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

As part of our market development work we undertook a survey of bullion market participants and stakeholders earlier this year. The purpose of the survey was to identify new opportunities for gold market growth in Singapore, building on the work that has already been undertaken here through the leadership of SBMA.

Following the survey, we launched a set of recommendations designed to catalyse additional demand for gold (both retail and institutional) and promote Singapore as a regional gold hub. These recommendations included positioning gold in financial sector industry development initiatives such as wealth management and fintech, codifying best practices for retail gold products to boost consumer trust and confidence, and working towards industry agreement on kilobar integrity.

RETAIL GOLD INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES

The retail market is a key driver of gold demand, particularly here in Asia, which collectively accounts for over 50% of global consumer demand. To ensure the retail market operates to the highest of standards, and that trust and confidence in the sector is maintained, we created a set of principles for the retail gold market, the Retail Gold Investment Principles (RGIPs). These principles are designed to set the bar for product providers across the market and further encourage retail investors to place their trust in gold. It is envisaged that greater trust will benefit customers and product providers alike, creating value and driving demand across the retail gold industry.

The RGIPs are aimed primarily at the providers of unregulated gold investment products, encouraging best practice, so that customers can feel confident in this important market segment. We are working on a roll-out programme in some of the most important retail markets including India and Germany, and we will be engaging with industry in Singapore, the rest of Southeast Asia, and Australia in the coming months.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable finance has been, and will continue to be, a major driver of industry behaviour. The World Gold Council and its members have long believed that responsible gold mining can support sustained socio-economic development for the communities and countries that host gold mining operations. Last year we launched the Responsible Gold Mining Principles (RGMPs) – a new framework that set out clear expectations for consumers, investors and the downstream gold supply chain as to what constitutes responsible gold mining.

To build on this, and raise awareness of the positive action the industry is taking, we released a new report on gold mining’s contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report looks at how World Gold Council members are bringing about positive change across four thematic areas: global partnerships, social inclusion, economic development, and responsible energy use and environmental stewardship. The report also shines a spotlight on three topical themes including artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), how the pandemic has reinforced the premise of the SDGs, and gold’s role in new technologies, including those supporting the energy transition.

ANDREW NAYLOR joined the World Gold Council in 2016 and is responsible for the its activities in the region – institutional investment, government relations, and public policy initiatives. Prior to this role, he worked for international consultancy firm Cicero Group advising financial institutions on foreign investment and trade policy in Asia and regulatory reform. Andrew has been a board member of the European Chamber of Commerce in Singapore since 2012 and was chairman of its financial services committee from 2012 to 2014, and treasurer from 2014 to 2016. Andrew has a degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. In his spare time Andrew enjoys sailing, and volunteers for Singapore’s National Parks Board (NPB) and the LSE Alumni Association of Singapore (LSEAAS).

* This article was published in partnership with World Gold Council

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Emily Oh

OPERATIONS & ADMIN EXECUTIVE
Emily Oh is the Operations & Admin Executive, a seasoned professional who values teamwork and effective communication. She is skilled at adapting to new challenges and takes a proactive and resourceful approach to every task. Before joining SBMA, Emily had experience coordinating international travel arrangements and spearheading community initiatives. Her role at SBMA will be providing operational and administrative support for projects and other matters to the team.

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Clara Chang

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE
Clara Chang joins SBMA as the Marketing & Communications Executive, enriching the team with her extensive experience in content creation, social media management, and digital marketing. Prior to joining SBMA, Clara held the position of Marketing Executive at her previous job. She holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University at Buffalo, one in International Trade and another in Geographical Information Science. Her core duties will include maintaining the SBMA website, managing the quarterly Crucible newsletter, among other responsibilities.

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Mr John Levin

Global Metals
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John Levin is the Head of Metal Sales & Trading – APAC at the Toronto Dominion Bank’s Singapore office. Prior to this role, he devoted seven years to leading precious metal sales for the ANZ banking group in his home country, Australia. Notably, from 2009 to 2011, John played a significant role on the management committee of the London Bullion Market Association while serving as the Head of Precious Metals Sales for HSBC Global Banking and Markets in the UK.

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Fabian Lew

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Fabian was a Business Development and Marketing Associate before joining SBMA. He graduated from Singapore Management University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

He has joined SBMA since February, 2022.

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Margaret Wong

BUSINESS DIRECTOR

Margaret Wong, Business Director at SBMA (Singapore Bullion Market Association), brought valuable experience from her previous role at the World Gold Council (WGC). Her tenure at WGC provided her with extensive exposure to the gold community in Singapore and the broader region. This background has been instrumental in establishing strong working relationships within the industry.

Margaret’s role at SBMA encompasses a diverse range of responsibilities. She oversees office management, business support processes, finance, and administrative functions essential for the smooth operation of the team and management committee. Additionally, Margaret handles membership matters, member communications, and addresses public inquiries related to SBMA.

One of Margaret’s key responsibilities is coordinating with the Event Management Company for SBMA’s prestigious annual event, the Asia Pacific Precious Metals Conference. This flagship conference plays a crucial role in the industry, making her involvement pivotal in its success.

Described as resourceful and self-motivated, Margaret Wong brings a wealth of skills and experience to her role at SBMA, ensuring efficient operations and effective engagement within the precious metals community in Singapore and beyond.

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Albert Cheng

Chief Executive Officer

Albert Cheng joined the World Gold Council in March 1993 as a Regional Manager, becoming Managing Director, Far East in 2003. He retired at the end of March 2015 and was subsequently named its Advisor. He has also been an International Advisor to the Shanghai Gold Exchange since 2002.

His marketing career began with Dentsu Young & Rubicam, Hong Kong in the early 80’s. He began gold marketing in July 1985 when he joined the Royal Canadian Mint as a Regional Manager for Southeast Asia.

He was appointed honorary CEO of SBMA in November 2015. He is responsible for the success and strategic development of SBMA, represents the interests of the Association, and is responsible for all the legal and regulatory aspects of the work of the Association. He is the primary contact for regulators and government bodies on bullion market development.

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Ms Pawan Nawawattanasub

CEO
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Pawan is the CEO of YLG Bullion Singapore and founder of YLG Bullion International. She has almost 40 years of experience in the jewellery industry and established YLG in Thailand in 2003. In 2012, she brought YLG to Singapore. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Thailand Gold Traders Association, the Thailand Futures Exchange’s Arbitration Committee, and the Rotary Bangkok committee. She holds a master’s degree in Political Science.

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Mr Shaokai Fan

Head of Asia-Pacific (ex China) and Global Head of Central Banks
World Gold Council
Shaokai Fan is the Global Head of Central Banks at the World Gold Council, responsible for advising governments on gold matters, and enhancing the gold market through engagement, dialogue, and thought leadership. He works directly with central banks and sovereign wealth funds on investment considerations. Prior to this position, Shaokai held multiple roles at Standard Chartered Bank, including Director for Asia Strategic Initiatives and Associate-Director for Public Sector coverage. Shaokai holds a Masters of Public Administration from Columbia University and the London School of Economics, and an undergraduate degree in finance and economics from New York University.

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Mr Alan Liew

Head of Bullion & Commodities Trading
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Mr Nikos Kavalis

Managing Director
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Mr Nuttapong Hirunyasiri

CEO
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Nuttapong Hirunyasiri is the CEO of MTS Gold Group, one of Thailand’s top 10 companies and top 3 bullion companies. He started MTS Gold Group’s first overseas office in Singapore and has been expanding the group business internationally. He focuses on product development and innovation for gold investment, with the aim of being a leader in providing the full suite of gold investment services in the ASEAN region.

SBMA Committee-Photo-Raman-Walia

Mr Raman Walia

Executive Director, Head of Commodities Sales – APAC
JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A.

Raman is Executive Director and Head of Commodities Sales, APAC, for J.P. Morgan. He joined JPMorgan in 2008 in New York, moved to Singapore in 2011, and helped expand the precious metals business in the region. Raman has an MBA from Cornell University, and likes to travel in his spare time.

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Mr Andrew Clarke

Head of Brink’s Global Services
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Mr Kazuya Naoki

Head of Metals, Asia
ICBC Standard Bank Plc, Singapore Branch

Kazuya (Kaz) Naoki is the Head of Metals, Asia of ICBC Standard Bank in Singapore and is responsible for the precious & base metals sales and trading in the region. He joined Standard Bank Plc Tokyo Branch in 2008 and was relocated to its Singapore Branch in 2013 whose controlling stake was acquired by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in 2015. Prior to joining Standard Bank, Kaz spent 11 years focusing on commodity trading and risk management with Mitsui & Co in Tokyo, Sydney and London. Kaz has been serving on the SBMA Management Committee since 2016.

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Mr Vinh Nguyen

Head of Precious Metals, Asia
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Vinh Nguyen joined StoneX Group in Singapore at the beginning of 2008 and responsible for its APAC precious metals activities since 2019 until now.

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Mr KL Yap

General Manager, Singapore Refining Business Unit
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KL YAP is the General Manager of Metalor Technologies (Singapore) Pte Ltd’s Singapore Refining Business Unit. He joined Metalor in 2013, initially in Refining Sales. In 2014, he became Refining Business Unit Manager, leading the development of a new precious metal refinery. KL was Vice Chairman of SBMA from 2017 to 2021, now serving as Chairman. With a degree in business commerce, finance, and marketing, he brings prior experience from refinery and heavy industries.