The asset manager said the funds were the first it had made available to retail investors in Singapore since 2006, further highlighting that until now it had principally offered equity products in the region.
The Aberdeen Asian Local Currency Short Duration Bond Fund invests in short-term government debt, mostly with durations of less than three years.
The other portfolio, Aberdeen Emerging Market Local Currency Bond Fund, will focus on longer maturities, but also at investment grade level.
Aberdeen cited “sound fiscal management, low debt to GDP ratios and strong economic growth” as factors that made Asian and emerging market debt attractive as investments.
The fund manager also noted that while it may be best known for equities management, it runs some US$82bn in fixed income in – mainly – institutional mandates.
Corinne Cheok, Aberdeen’s head of regional distribution, said: “We’ve been quiet on new retail launches for a while, intentionally so as our equity franchise rests on very solid products.
Much as we were pioneers there, in the past several years we’ve been winning institutional mandates for Asian and EM debt. It’s logical now to extend that expertise into retail [markets].”
