Singapore Economy Fresh ideas for charting future The committee tasked with charting Singapore's economic future is a diverse one, and necessarily so. Chaired by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, the 30-member Committee on the Future Economy comprises individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. Five members are political office-holders, with one holding a concurrent position in the labour movement. http://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/fresh-ideas-for-charting-future?login=true Prices fall for 13th straight month, but core inflation still positive With the November figures out, Singapore's negative inflation has now gone beyond one year, with economists predicting that inflation will remain under water in the early half of next year before starting to rise. However, economists shrug off worries about deflation, and foresee that there will be no major impetus for the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to make any tweaks to its monetary policy. Inflation stays negative for 13th straight month Inflation stayed in negative territory for the 13th straight month in November, amid the soft housing rental market and low oil prices. Economists say Singapore is not at risk of sinking into deflation, but they note that the deepening oil price slump and tepid global growth might prompt the central bank to ease the appreciation of the Singdollar against its trade-weighted basket of currencies next year. http://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/inflation-stays-negative-for-13th-straight-month Singapore Real Estate Waterway Point in Punggol to open on Jan 18 Waterway Point in Punggol will open on Jan 18, the mall confirmed on Facebook. Frasers Centrepoint Malls had announced in August that 90 per cent of the retail space in the mall has been tenanted. Waterway Point will have four levels of indoor shopping, leisure and alfresco dining spaces, with a view of Punggol Waterway. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/waterway-point-in-punggol/2372500.html http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/waterway-point-punggol-open-jan-18 Companies' Brief A-HTrust managers review options after takeover interest Ascendas Hospitality Trust managers on Wednesday said that they were reviewing their options after receiving an unsolicited expression of interest (EOI) to buy out all its stapled securities. Checks with investment bankers and lawyers turned up no clue as to who the offerer might be. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ascendas-hospitality/2371978.html SGX Real Estate Index priced below book value; yields near 6% The SGX Real Estate Index is priced below book value with yields near 6 per cent according to an SGX My Gateway report. As of Tuesday's close, the 54 stocks were trading at average price-earnings (P/E) and price-to-book (P/B) ratios of 12.8 and 0.8 respectively, while maintaining a dividend yield of 5.9 per cent. Start Singapore: Kluje offers online service to property managers Local start-up Kluje, which helps home owners find plumbers, electricians and other contractors online, has expanded its service to property managers. Kluje will post a list of participating contractors, who can bid for commercial renovation projects, on kluje.com. Views, Reviews & Forum Why CPF monies, share of HDB flats not automatically covered by a will We thank Mr Francis Cheng for his feedback ("Let CPF monies, share of HDB flats be covered by a will"; Dec 12). Mr Cheng suggested reviewing the Central Provident Fund Act so that CPF monies can be covered by a will, and standardising the manner of holding of HDB flats so that owners can specify in their will how their interest in the flat can be distributed. Global Economy & Global Real Estate US dollar dips as effect of Fed rate hike fades The United States dollar retreated against most of its major peers and emerging market currencies yesterday, as analysts predict the Federal Reserve could hold off another hike in borrowing costs until April. http://www.straitstimes.com/business/us-dollar-dips-as-effect-of-fed-rate-hike-fades Najib must now focus on the economy It was clear from Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's closing speech at the United Malays National Organisation's (Umno) general assembly that he was not going to be cowed by his dissenters into resigning from his government and party head positions. http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/st-editorial/najib-must-now-focus-on-the-economy M'sian home prices propped up by GST, weak ringgit and hefty compliance costs Amid Malaysia's soft economy, property prices have moderated on reduced demand but a home remains out of reach for many people because a new consumption tax, the devalued ringgit and hefty compliance costs continue to keep prices high, developers say. Ranking of Asia-Pac logistics hubs expected to stay unchanged Property consultancy CBRE expects the top eight global logistics hubs in the Asia-Pacific to maintain their positions over the next 15 years. They are Greater China's Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Tianjin; Japan's Tokyo and Osaka-Kobe; and Singapore. Sidelined top architect raps Tokyo's plan for 2020 Olympic stadium Anbang ups stake in Vanke with 2.8b yuan buy http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/anbang-ups-stake-in-vanke-with-28b-yuan-buy Davao expands seawards by building four islands http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/davao-expands-seawards-by-building-four-islands Hotels impose fees, restrictions that drive new sources of revenue HK-led group wins US$2.5b Tahiti beach resort project http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/hk-led-group-wins-us25b-tahiti-beach-resort-project White Plains repositions to draw new residents http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/white-plains-repositions-to-draw-new-residents No place to dump construction waste http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/no-place-to-dump-construction-waste?login=true |