Singapore Economy

PMO, 3 ministries aim to ensure that everyone benefits from Singapore's renewed economy

Keeping Singaporeans at the core of the renewed economy - this was the message emphasised in the Prime Minister's Office's (PMO) and three ministries' addenda to the President's Address delivered last Friday. This is especially as Singapore's growth slows and its demographic composition shifts - making it imperative to maintain the nation as a place "where dreams are built and aspirations can be fulfilled", said the government.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/pmo-3-ministries-aim-to-ensure-that-everyone-benefits-from-singapores-renewed


Singapore retains No 2 spot in Global Talent Competitiveness Index

Singapore has taken the No 2 spot for the third straight year in Insead's annual Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI), behind Switzerland. The study, released on Tuesday, measures a nation's competitiveness based on the quality of talent that it can produce, attract and retain.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/singapore-retains-no-2-spot-in-global-talent-competitiveness-index

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/singapore-keeps-no-2-position-in-global-talent-index


Singapore Real Estate

Singapore investors buy record US$26.3b of overseas properties in 2015

Singapore-based investors purchased a record US$26.31 billion in overseas real estate in 2015, up 49 per cent from US$17.63 billion in 2014, going by preliminary data compiled by real-estate data and analytics firm Real Capital Analytics (RCA) as at Jan 12. The increase reflects Singapore investors' strategy of targeting the world's most liquid markets to diversify and grow their portfolios in the low-interest-rate environment.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/singapore-investors-buy-record-us263b-of-overseas-properties-in-2015


Companies' Brief

First Reit posts 2.5% rise in Q4 DPU, lifted by acquisitions

Mainboard-listed First Reit (real estate investment trust) has posted a 2.5 per cent rise to 2.09 Singapore cents in distribution per unit (DPU) for the fourth quarter of 2015, lifted by revenue from new acquisitions. It will be paid on Feb 29.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/first-reit-posts-25-rise-in-q4-dpu-lifted-by-acquisitions

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/company-briefs-first-real-estate-investment-trust


CDL CFO leaves for another firm

City Developments Ltd's (CDL) chief financial officer has quit to join another listed company. The property developer on Tuesday said it has accepted the resignation of Goh Ann Nee, and her last day with the company will be Jan 26. Ms Goh, 56, will be taking up an executive position in a listed company operating in another sector.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/cdl-cfo-leaves-for-another-firm

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/cdl-chief-financial-officer-to-step-down

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/singapore/cdl-s-long-serving-cfo/2438452.html


Global Economy & Global Real Estate

Starwood, Fosun considering bids for A-HTRUST: sources

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/starwood-fosun-considering-bids-for-a-htrust-sources


Dubai developers urged to rethink their budgets

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/dubai-developers-urged-to-rethink-their-budgets


Investment in China property slows further in December to 7-year low

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/investment-in-china-property-slows-further-in-december-to-7-year-low


MetLife Forms $1.4 Billion Property Venture With N.Y Fund

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-19/metlife-forms-1-4-billion-property-venture-with-ny-pension-fund


Confidence Among Homebuilders in U.S. Was Unchanged in January

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-19/confidence-among-homebuilders-in-u-s-was-unchanged-in-january


Brookfield Makes $657 Million Offer to Buy Rouse Properties

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-19/brookfield-makes-657-million-offer-to-buy-rouse-properties


Millennials, Here's What Your First Home Might Look Like

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-19/millennials-here-s-what-your-first-home-might-look-like


Ivanhoe, Veritas Invest $200 Million in San Francisco Apartments

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-19/ivanhoe-veritas-invest-200-million-in-san-francisco-apartments


Starwood Capital, Fosun Said to Consider Offers for Ascendas

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-19/starwood-capital-fosun-said-to-weigh-ascendas-hospitality-bids