Realising the Marina Bay vision
CHING TUAN YEE and BENJAMIN NG reflect on the planning of Singapore’s most ambitious urban project and highlight the exciting developments in store for Singaporeans and visitors alike THE vision for Marina Bay is that of a high-quality, 24/7 live-work-play environment, one that encapsulates the essence of the global city Singapore is envisaged to be. … Read more
Kuwaiti firm still in talks over mega deal
A MAJOR $818.4 million residential property deal that fell through recently could be revived. The potential buyer, Kuwait Finance House (KFH), said last week it was still in talks to buy the 97 units at GuocoLand’s freehold Goodwood Residence. KFH said it had a positive view of the outlook for Singapore’s property market. A fund … Read more
Views from the top: Adapting to volatile times
What would be the impact of increasingly higher energy prices and a weakening US dollar — and hence a sharply stronger Singapore dollar — on businesses here? What can be done to combat the negative impact, and exploit the opportunities, of these twin developments? Predeep Menon Executive Director & CEO Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce … Read more
CapitaLand issues active after weak home sales data
PROPERTY plays are now on investors’ radar screens following the release of new-homes sales figures recently. Thus, covered warrants on these property counters have also drawn attention, including those of CapitaLand. The latest data shows that sales of new homes last month in Singapore almost halved from the previous month. Some experts estimate that sales … Read more
K-Reit feeling effects of financial crunch
K-REIT Asia is going to find it a bit tough to raise the money it needs. The real estate investment trust (Reit) is looking to raise up to $700 million in a rights issue, in part to repay some of the $942 million bridging loan it took from Keppel Corp when it purchased its one-third … Read more
Singapore interest rates likely to fall further
Fed cut and robust Sing$ could push interbank lending rate below 1% SINGAPOREANS can expect cheaper mortgages but lower savings and fixed deposit rates in the months to come. This is after a move by the United States Federal Reserve to slash a key US interest rate last week. The Fed had cut three-quarters of … Read more
Creative sells and leases back HQ for $250m
SINGAPORE’S Creative Technology Ltd, which makes digital music players, said on Monday it had agreed to sell and lease back its headquarters in the city-state for $250 million. Creative said in a statement it was expected to reap a gain of $200 million from the deal. The gain would be treated as a deferred gain … Read more
Mandatory HDB resale checklists for housing agents from May
THE Housing Board will introduce mandatory resale checklists for housing agents handling resale HDB flat transactions from May 1. The checklists cover a list of key policies and procedures that housing agents will need to advise resale flat buyers and sellers before they commit to a resale flat deal. ‘This is part of HDB’s ongoing … Read more
HDB unveils resale checklist for housing agents
HDB announced on Monday that it is introducing mandatory Resale Checklists for housing agents handling resale HDB flat transactions. The checklists cover a list of key policies and procedures that agents will need to advise resale flat buyers and sellers before they commit to a transaction. This is part of HDB’s ongoing efforts to ensure … Read more
Stress test for builders as steel price soars
The price of steel has almost doubled since January 2007 and this could come in the way of the construction industry’s quest to reduce its dependence on concrete. In Singapore, industry players report that the price of both steel reinforcement bars (rebars) and structural steel has gone up by around 80-100 per cent over the … Read more
