Singapore Economy

Budget 2016 and the remaking of Singapore's economy

A check of articles in our database in the past year on structural challenges faced by the Singapore economy throws up quite a few. Search two years back and there are no such articles. This could be an indication that the long-term nature of these issues is coming more clearly to the fore now.  Call them structural challenges or intractable problems - these are issues for which there is no overnight fix. It would be unrealistic to expect tomorrow's Budget to address them fully and they are probably best left to the Committee on the Future Economy.

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/budget-2016-and-the-remaking-of-singapores-economy


Singapore Real Estate

Observers hope Budget 2016 will address issues with Fresh Start Housing Scheme

Observers have said there are still some outstanding issues with the Fresh Start Housing Scheme that they hope can be addressed in the upcoming Budget, which is set to be delivered at 3.30pm on Thursday (Mar 24).

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/observers-hope-budget/2627204.html


NUS, CDL to develop green building technologies

The National University of Singapore (NUS) School of Design and Environment and City Developments Limited (CDL) will partner to promote innovations in smart, green building technologies in an initiative supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), they said in a joint press release on Tuesday.  Two new research laboratories, funded by a S$2.25 million gift from CDL, will be built to study smart building technologies for indoor and outdoor environments and to provide funding for research projects.  

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/nus-cdl-to-develop-green-building-technologies


Up on the roof, there's energy to be tapped

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/up-on-the-roof-theres-energy-to-be-tapped


Companies' Brief

Bigger Is Better for Singapore REITs Facing Consolidation

Singapore’s real estate investment trust market is set to consolidate as smaller vehicles merge to cope with rising regulatory costs, according to Cambridge Industrial Trust. “The wave of consolidation for Singapore REITs is about to begin,” Philip Levinson, chief executive officer at Singapore-listed Cambridge Industrial, said. The trust has a market capitalization of S$730.5 million ($536 million) and focuses on industrial real estate assets.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-22/bigger-is-better-for-singapore-reits-facing-consolidation

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/singapore-reits-set-to-consolidate-to-cope-with-rising-regulatory-costs-says


Good buys for Reits harder to come by with lower debt limits

THE recently enforced lower debt limit for real estate investment trusts (Reits) is making it harder for Reits to do yield-accretive acquisitions. It is a chain effect. Singapore Reits had taken advantage of the low interest rates last year to make acquisitions funded mostly by debt. This had caused many of their gearing levels to creep up.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion/good-buys-for-reits-harder-to-come-by-with-lower-debt-limits

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/s-reits-back-in-favour-with-analysts


Global Economy & Global Real Estate

HK developers' share prices show little reason to fear crash

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/hk-developers-share-prices-show-little-reason-to-fear-crash

http://www.todayonline.com/business/shares-hk-developers-give-hope-homeowners


As London landlords wilt, S Africa Reits defy slowdown

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/as-london-landlords-wilt-s-africa-reits-defy-slowdown


Japan's 2015 commercial land prices increase for first time in 8 years

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/japans-2015-commercial-land-prices-increase-for-first-time-in-8-years

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-22/japan-land-prices-rise-for-the-first-time-since-2007-on-tourism


US house prices climbed 0.5% in January as inventory tight

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/us-house-prices-climbed-05-in-january-as-inventory-tight


Sell Real Estate to Fund Tunnel, Port Authority Head Degnan Says

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-22/sell-real-estate-to-fund-tunnel-port-authority-head-degnan-says


Property Bubble Ghost Haunts Central Bankers Trying to Boost Prices

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-22/property-bubble-ghost-haunts-central-bankers-trying-to-boost-prices


Macy’s Adds Real Estate CEO to Board to Help With Property Plans

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-22/macy-s-adds-real-estate-ceo-to-board-to-help-with-property-plans


As London Landlords Wilt, South Africa's REITs Defy Slowdown

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-22/as-london-landlords-wilt-south-africa-s-reits-defy-slowdown


China's Hot Property Market Helps Cut Asian Junk Bond Yields

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-22/china-s-hot-property-market-helps-cut-asian-junk-bond-yields


Why Israeli Investors See Cracks in New York's Most Expensive Buildings

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-21/luxury-condo-slowdown-prompts-visit-from-extell-s-bondholders


Hong Kong's Housing Market Looks Like It's Avoided a Bust

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-21/hong-kong-property-crash-averted-if-the-stock-market-is-right


Penang chief's bungalow purchase: Seller 'not forced to sell'

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/penang-chiefs-bungalow-purchase-seller-not-forced-to-sell-0