Top Line Business Development Corp. (TOP) has approved the creation of a wholly owned subsidiary in Singapore to operate as a trading house, in a move to strengthen its long-term fuel importation strategy.

The Cebu-based fuel distributor and retailer said the new Singapore entity will serve as its international trading arm, allowing the company to directly engage with global fuel suppliers as it scales up its importation activities.

“This initiative is a strategic step toward our long-term vertical integration strategy by optimizing our end-to-end supply chain,” said Atty. Constance Marie C. Lim, First Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

“By establishing a trading presence in Singapore, we enhance our fuel supply reliability and efficiently structure our costs. Over time, this is expected to contribute to better margins and more efficient fuel sourcing across our network,” Lim added.

Singapore is widely recognized as Asia’s largest oil trading hub and serves as a key gateway between Middle Eastern producers and Southeast Asian demand markets. Establishing a presence in the city-state positions TOP closer to major market participants, trading platforms, and pricing benchmarks.

The move follows the recent grant of a Certificate of Registration by the Bureau of Customs to Topline Logistics and Development Corp. (TLDC), TOP’s logistics subsidiary, authorizing it to undertake fuel importation activities.

According to the company, the Singapore trading arm will support the scaling up of TLDC’s import operations and strengthen control over its supply chain.

TOP is active in commercial fuel trading, depot operations, and retail fuel in the Visayas region. It operates through TLDC, which handles importation and distribution of petroleum-based products, and Light Fuels Corporation, which focuses on retail fuel operations.

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