The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission will review a planned takeover of ASX, operator of the country’s bourse, by Singapore Exchange.

The review will scrutinize the deal’s impact on “the development of competition between exchanges and associated products or services,” the ACCC said in an announcement on its website.

Potential impacts on entry to the Australian marketplace by Chi-X Australia and other operators will also be evaluated as part of the review, the announcement said.

 

“This is an anticipated part of the regulatory process,” said Magdalyn Liew, a spokeswoman for Singapore Exchange. “We will extend full cooperation and necessary information to ACCC in relation to the proposed merger.”

 

On Oct. 25, Singapore Exchange offered to buy Australia’s ASX for A$8.4 billion ($10.8 billion) in a cash and share deal that would create the world’s fifth-largest listed exchange company.

 

The bid faces scrutiny from the Foreign Investment Review Board, the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Treasurer Wayne Swan said on Oct 27. Australian lawmakers including Greens party leader Bob Brown have said they will block the proposed merger as it raises national interest concerns.