NEW YORK, March 10 (Reuters) - The Singapore Exchange

said on Monday that it was teaming up with Brazilian exchange

operator B3 to launch real futures contracts later this year, a

move aimed at helping investors manage exposure to the currency

during Asia trading.

If the Brazilian real futures contracts receive regulatory

approval, it would be SGX's first time venturing into emerging

markets currencies out of Asia.

The contracts come as global investors' interest in

Brazilian markets is increasing, bringing with it a desire to

hedge currency risks around-the-clock, especially as trade

tensions and geopolitics heighten uncertainty in global markets.

Brazil is a leading exporter of commodities like beef, iron

ore and soybeans. Its government said on March 6 that it would

remove import taxes on essential products including sugar,

coffee, corn and beef to help reduce food prices.