The Singapore Exchange is considering launching a local version of the London Alternative Investments Market as a way to attract small companies that do not qualify for listing on the Australian Stock Exchange. The move would also help local companies grow and respond to demand from foreign investors. The Australian reports that Singaporean AIM could siphon business off the London original; 29 Chinese companies are listed on the junior exchange, with 22 joining just since the beginning of 2005. Asian companies, says The Australian, would welcome an exchange that speaks their language, noting that Asian companies looking to list in London have difficulty with English. Mandarin is one of the official languages of Singapore.