DAILY NEWS

Daily News – 31 December 2021 (Fri)

Singapore Real Estate

New private home sales to ease in 2022 on cooling measures, fewer launches
After a banner year in 2021, sales of new private homes are expected to moderate in 2022 on the back of the latest property cooling measures and a limited pipeline of launches. Genuine home buyers – such as first-time buyers – who are the least impacted by the fresh raft of curbs are seen driving the market next year, while foreign buyers and investors may take a step back due to the higher additional buyer’s stamp duty (ABSD).
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/new-private-home-sales-to-ease-in-2022-on-cooling-measures-fewer-launches

Developers to launch fewer new private homes for sale in 2022: analysts
Analysts expect the number of new private homes released for sale in 2022 to fall year-on-year, denting transaction volumes as some developers may delay launches in the wake of the cooling measures. 2022 will also see smaller scale launches and an absence of the mega projects wheeled out in 2021, such as Normanton Park which has sold about 1,450 of its 1,862 units this year.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/developers-to-launch-fewer-new-private-homes-for-sale-in-2022-analysts

Singapore CBD Grade A office rents may grow twice as quickly in 2022: JLL
Overall demand for Grade A office space in the Central Business District (CBD) could outpace supply next year and thus fuel rental growth that is at least double the 4.2 per cent increase in 2021, said JLL Singapore. That is assuming market normalisation is not derailed by new Covid-19 variants and barring adverse external shocks, noted the firm’s head of research and consultancy Tay Huey Ying on Thursday (Dec 30).
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/singapore-cbd-grade-a-office-rents-may-grow-twice-as-quickly-in-2022-jll
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/singapore-cbd-grade-a-office-rents-may-rise-twice-as-quickly-in-2022-jll

Industrial GLS for H1 2022 launched with 3 confirmed sites, 4 on reserve
The Ministry of Trade and Industry on Thursday (Dec 30) launched its Industrial Government Land Sales (IGLS) programme for the first half of 2022. There will be 3 sites on the confirmed list and 4 sites on the reserve list, with a total site area of 4.48 hectares.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/industrial-gls-for-h1-2022-launched-with-3-confirmed-sites-4-on-reserve
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/singapores-industrial-land-supply-smaller-for-first-half-of-2022

Companies’ Brief

Keppel, ComfortDelGro, The Hour Glass latest to redesignate IDs as non-independent directors
Keppel announced that Danny Teoh Leong Kay has served as a director on the company’s board since 2010 and will be redesignated as non-independent chairman from his current role as an independent chairman.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/keppel-comfortdelgro-the-hour-glass-latest-to-redesignate-ids-as-non-independent

Mapletree Commercial Trust, Mapletree North Asia Commercial Trust propose merger
The managers of Mapletree Commercial Trust (MCT) and Mapletree North Asia Commercial Trust (MNACT) have proposed a merger that will propel the combined entity to become one of Asia’s 10 largest real estate investment trusts (Reits).
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/mapletree-commercial-trust-mapletree-north-asia-commercial-trust-propose-merger

Views, Reviews, Forum & Others

Omicron can still impact global recovery
With the global average of new cases of Covid-19 having scaled new highs this week, the World Health Organisation has warned that the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of the virus, while the Delta variant continues to circulate, is leading to a tsunami of infections.
https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/st-editorial/omicron-can-still-impact-global-recovery

10 Singapore company chiefs share their growth plans for 2022
Singapore – The Singapore Exchange (SGX) saw some notable corporate action over the past 12 months. A handful of listed companies underwent restructuring for better prospects.
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/10-singapore-company-chiefs-share-their-growth-plans-for-2022

Top 10 news events that made headlines in Singapore in 2021
The Business Times takes a look back at some of the major news events that took place in Singapore in 2021.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/top-stories/top-10-news-events-that-made-headlines-in-singapore-in-2021

Update on COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) Situation

Brunei removes all countries from Travel Green List, including Singapore, due to Omicron threat
The Brunei government has announced updated guidelines on inbound and outbound travel to and from the country, temporarily removing all countries – including Singapore – from a Travel Green List.
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/brunei-removes-all-countries-from-travel-green-list-including-singapore-due-to-omicron-threat

Decision to lift Singapore-Malaysia VTL suspension to be made 2 days before Jan 20
The fate of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) for air and land between Malaysia and Singapore will be decided at least 48 hours before Jan 20 next year when the temporary suspension of the scheme is expected to end.
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/decision-to-lift-singapore-malaysia-vtl-suspension-to-be-made-2-days-before-jan-20

*For more information, please visit the Ministry of Health (MOH) website at www.moh.gov.sg and refer to go.gov.sg/mohupdates for updates on the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) situation