DAILY NEWS

Daily News – 8 December 2021 (Wed)

Singapore Real Estate

Perfect Ten in Bukit Timah to launch for sale at prices starting from S$2.5m
Hong Kong-based developer CK Asset Holdings is banking that the luxury market will continue to remain buoyant as it readies to launch its upcoming development Perfect Ten for sale on Dec 19. The 230-unit freehold development in Bukit Timah in District 10 will comprise 2-bedroom apartments spanning 753 to 797 square feet (sq ft), and 3-bedroom apartments ranging from 1,227 to 1,281 sq ft.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/perfect-ten-in-bukit-timah-to-launch-for-sale-at-prices-starting-from-s25m

Why and when growing mortgage debt alarms policymakers
Singapore – Singapore’s property market is set to wrap up 2021 as one of its best years in recent times. But as the economic recovery at home and abroad moves forward, new risks to growth and employment are emerging. And as policymakers move to confront these risks, market dynamics for all assets are likely to change.
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/stexplains-why-and-when-growing-mortgage-debt-starts-to-alarm-policymakers

Singapore Economy

Slight improvement in Singapore business sentiment for Q1 2022 despite Covid uncertainties: SCCB
Business confidence among local businesses has increased marginally for the first quarter of 2022, reaching a 2-year high despite continued uncertainties in the Covid-19 trajectory, the Singapore Commercial Credit Bureau (SCCB) said on Tuesday (Dec 7).
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sme/slight-improvement-in-singapore-business-sentiment-for-q1-2022-despite-covid-uncertainties-sccb
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/singapore-firms-slightly-more-upbeat-for-q1-2022-amid-omicron-uncertainties-survey

Companies’ Brief

CICT launches private placement to raise at least S$200m
CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust’s (CICT) manager on Tuesday (Dec 7) proposed a private placement of about 103.6 million new units at an issue price of between S$1.930 and S$1.981 per new unit to raise at least S$200 million in gross proceeds.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/cict-launches-private-placement-to-raise-at-least-s200m

CDL, Palo IT bag top prizes in Sustainable Business Awards for their green initiatives
Singapore – Doing well by doing good – that is the philosophy of the companies that bagged awards for being sustainable at a ceremony on Tuesday (Dec 7). The desire to make a difference to society and the environment led these firms to put in place green initiatives, such as reducing carbon emissions and being more efficient in energy and water usage.
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/cdl-palo-it-bag-top-prizes-in-sustainable-business-awards-for-their-green-initiatives

Views, Reviews, Forum & Others

Only global institutions can end this pandemic
Within just two weeks of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus being detected in South Africa, it spread to more than 40 countries. We don’t know how long it was circulating before it was detected or where it came from.
https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/only-global-institutions-can-end-this-pandemic

Suggestions wanted for Budget 2022: How S’pore can thrive in post-Covid-19 world and go green
Singapore – Singaporeans may share their views and suggestions for Budget 2022 from today till Jan 17 next year. Suggestions are being sought based on three themes. They are: thriving in a post-Covid-19 world; strengthening Singapore’s social compact to build a more inclusive country; and preparing Singapore for a greener and more sustainable future.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/suggestions-wanted-for-budget-2022-how-spore-can-thrive-in-post-covid-19-world-and-go

New investment challenges and opportunities in 2022
After 2 years marked by disruption, loss, ‘circuit breakers’ and start-stop reopenings, with some luck we believe 2022 will be the year we gradually reacquaint ourselves with how our lives were like before Covid-19.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/wealth-investing/new-investment-challenges-and-opportunities-in-2022

Update on COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) Situation

715 new Covid-19 cases and 8 more Covid-related deaths
[Singapore] A total of 715 new Covid-19 infections and eight deaths were reported in Singapore on Tuesday (Dec 7). This is up from the 662 Covid-19 infections and four deaths reported on Monday, but it is the fifth day in a row that new virus cases have fallen below 1,000, according to statistics published on the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) website.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/715-new-covid-19-cases-and-8-more-covid-related-deaths
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/715-new-covid-19-cases-and-eight-more-covid-related-deaths-in-spore

Experts agree with MOH move to stop daily Covid-19 updates to media, as ‘they are no longer meaningful’
Singapore – Several experts The Straits Times spoke to agree with the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) move to stop issuing daily Covid-19 updates to the media from Tuesday (Dec 7). The experts say the information provided daily does not mean much at this stage of the pandemic, when Singapore is transitioning to treating Covid-19 as endemic.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/moh-to-stop-issuing-daily-covid-19-updates-to-media-experts-say-reports-no-longer

All VTL travellers to Malaysia to undergo Covid-19 tests for 6 days
Kuala Lumpur (The Star/Asia News Network) – Malaysia has updated its Covid-19 rules for international and local travellers arriving in the country under three travel schemes. Those on the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) by air and land, including from Singapore, the Langkawi International Travel Bubble (LITB), and the One Stop Centre (OSC) for short-term business visitors will have to undergo Covid-19 test for six days after arriving in Malaysia.
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/all-vtl-langkawi-bubble-travellers-to-Malaysia-to-undergo-daily-covid-19-tests

Saliva testing available in Singapore for Covid-19 pre-departure tests of travellers
Singapore – Saliva testing has recently been made available for use here as an option for Covid-19 pre-departure tests for travellers to certain countries which allow it. Local biomedical start-up Lucence has started working with clinics and telemedicine providers to offer saliva testing for those travelling overseas, The Straits Times has learnt.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/saliva-testing-approved-in-singapore-for-covid-19-pre-departure-tests-of-travellers

askST: Will I lose fully vaccinated status if I don’t get third Sinovac or Sinopharm dose by Dec 31?
Singapore – Those who have taken their second dose of the Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccine on or before Aug 31 have to get their third dose by Dec 31 if they want to maintain their fully vaccinated status from Jan 1.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/askst-will-i-lose-fully-vaccinated-status-if-i-dont-get-third-sinovac-or-sinopharm

S’pore makers of Covid-19 ART kits having difficulty applying for approval for retail use
Singapore – Local company Camtech Diagnostics has been making and selling antigen rapid test (ART) kits for Covid-19 since late last year – but not in Singapore. While Camtech Diagnostics and another local manufacturer SG Diagnostics produce such kits here, they have not been able to get approval from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for the kits to be sold on the retail market.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/local-makers-having-difficulty-applying-for-approval-for-retail-use-of-covid-19-art

*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