SGX, the Singapore exchange, on Wednesday signed a joint venture agreement with Chi-X Global, the alternative equities trading platform, to launch Asia’s first exchange-backed ”dark pool” for the trading of large blocks of shares in a move that gives Chi-X its first foothold in the region.

The development is part of plans to build pan-Asian share trading at a time when the growth of China’s capital markets is forcing smaller exchanges in the region to come up with innovative ways to ensure their long-term survival.