Singapore Economy Smart Nation revs up startup ecosystem Entrepreneurship has officially "gone mainstream" in 2015, amid a significant volume of new venture capital, accelerator programmes and series funding for startups. This vogue, observers tell The Business Times, is largely a result of Smart Nation - a nationwide initiative and an all-are-welcome rallying call for startups, researchers, government agencies and even corporates to huddle and co-create tech-powered innovations for improved urban living. Singapore Real Estate The model approach to HDB's smart planning Sensor-controlled smart lighting saves energy but costs more to install than normal lighting. Greenery lowers a building's temperature and hence the need for cooling - but also requires water. To help weigh such trade-offs, the Housing Board (HDB) has a new computer modelling tool. http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/the-model-approach-to-hdbs-smart-planning http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/hdb-to-explore-use-of/2354866.html http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/hdb-explore-use-smart-planning-tools-more-towns-and-estates Many are happy to home in on HDB's Sers now Twenty years ago, Madam Lee Gaik Hoon and her family were told by the Government that they had to move out of their four-storey flat in Boon Tiong Road. She was worried about having to adjust to an unfamiliar environment. But her fears were allayed when she learnt that her replacement flat would be on the same road in Tiong Bahru. http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/many-are-happy-to-home-in-on-hdbs-sers-now Companies' Brief CDL's office deal: What's next for the group and industry? Last week, City Developments Limited (CDL) rolled out its second "profit participation securities" (PPS) deal, this time to unlock about S$1.1 billion from three Singapore office assets. A-Reit buying A$76.6m logistics property Ascendas Reit (A-Reit) plans to buy a logistics property in Sydney, Australia, for A$76.6 million (S$76.6 million) from Deka Australia One. Its shares rose three cents on Thursday to finish at S$2.28 on the news. http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/a-reit-buying-a766m-logistics-property Colour Face swops shares for property in Cambodia Colour Face International (CFI) signed an agreement last week with Cambodian developer SGPD Development. It involves CFI swopping $10.5 million worth of shares for 35 residential units in SGPD Development's luxury project The Skyline in Phnom Penh. Views, Reviews & Forum Charting the future of Singapore's past The composition of the Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) reveals the expected presence of representatives of the three components of Singapore's tripartite system: the state, business and labour. http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/st-editorial/charting-the-future-of-singapores-past?login=true Stabilisation, the key word in the property market Mr Chua advises those looking to buy a new home to purchase within their means and to look at it as a long-term commitment so that they will not be forced to sell during a down cycle. http://www.straitstimes.com/business/stabilisation-the-key-word-in-the-property-market How US rate hike will affect mortgages here Ten days ago, Singaporeans woke to the news that the United States Federal Reserve had hiked US interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade, on growing optimism over the recovering US economy. For years, the Fed had held its benchmark lending rate near zero to battle the global financial crisis and to try to nurse the ailing American economy back to health. http://www.straitstimes.com/business/how-us-rate-hike-will-affect-mortgages-here Global Economy & Global Real Estate Wee Hur buys land, building in Brisbane for A$63 million Property firm Wee Hur Holdings on Thursday said that it has bought an office building and an adjoining piece of land in Brisbane, Australia, for A$63 million (S$64.3 million). The property - with a net lettable area of about 14,000 square metres - is found in the central business district of Brisbane, and is currently fully leased to the Queensland State government for rental income. Hong Kong duplex sold for $107m could be Asia's priciest flat Multi-million dollar buyouts in NY getting common http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/multi-million-dollar-buyouts-in-ny-getting-common Goldin Properties soars after 18b yuan China deal http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/goldin-properties-soars-after-18b-yuan-china-deal China regulator scrutinising Baoneng's acquisition of Vanke stake Manhattan luxury-home prices in a slide amid weak investor appetite More than 100 homes destroyed in bush fire http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/more-than-100-homes-destroyed-in-bush-fire?login=true http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/over-100-homes-lost-to-bush-fires-in-australia Vanke welcomes Anbang as ally in tussle http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/vanke-welcomes-anbang-as-ally-in-tussle Evergrande raises US$1.5b by selling convertible securities German building industry enjoys new boom http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/german-building-industry-enjoys-new-boom Oxford mulls over removal of tribute to 'architect of apartheid' Top Asia Junk Bond Funds All Bought China Builders After Default |