Singapore Exchange, operator of the city’s derivatives and securities market, will scrap its midday trading break from March as it seeks to increase its regional role.

Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh already operate without a lunch interval. Singapore’s trading day now runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a 90 minute break and an afternoon session between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

“To require staff to work without a break is a little taxing on the dealers,” said Chan Tuck Sing, executive director of UOB-Kay Hian Pte., a unit of Singapore second-biggest lender. “There could be a higher incidence of error and it could also increase their stress levels. That’s not good for the health.”

Singapore Exchange, Asia’s eighth-largest equity market, announced in October an A$8.4 billion ($10.8 billion) takeover bid for ASX, Australia’s main exchange operator. Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing’s Hutchison Whampoa said yesterday it plans to list some of its port assets in Singapore in what may be city’s biggest-ever share offering. The island nation is Asia’s largest oil-trading hub and is the world’s second-busiest container port after being overtaken by Shanghai last year.

The decision to cancel the adjournment was made after a consultation from Oct. 19 through Nov. 9 revealed support for the change from investors and brokerages, bourse spokeswoman Magdalyn Liew said. Details of the feedback received during the consultation won’t be released publicly, she said.