Singapore Real Estate / Built Environment
LTA seeks solutions to improve road maintenance regime and road construction methods
Singapore – To upgrade the way it manages the 9,500 lane-kilometres of road under its charge, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is calling for ideas to measure and predict road maintenance needs. Separately, it is also calling for proposals to improve the way roads are designed and constructed.
Larger S-Reits rank among those with highest net retail inflows in 2024
Retail investors have been net buyers of Singapore real estate investment trusts (S-Reits) in 2024 amid volatile performance for the sector during the year.
‘One big family’: Residents move into first assisted-living flats in Bukit Batok
Singapore – In November 2024, 88-year-old Lam Shaw Ying moved into his new assisted living flat in Bukit Batok and started playing carrom again, a traditional board game he last played when he was a boy.
Singapore News
S’pore must manage new arrivals with utmost caution, but also stand firm against nativism: SM Lee
Singapore – Singapore relies heavily on immigrants and foreign workers – who raise political sensitivities in many societies – to top up its population base and talent pool, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
EDB executive vice-president Tan Kong Hwee to be appointed CEO of Ipos
Tan Kong Hwee, executive vice-president of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), will be appointed the chief executive of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (Ipos) from Mar 1.
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250110-5716394
Outgoing Iras chief to take over as Auditor-General from February
Ng Wai Choong, Commissioner of Inland Revenue and chief executive of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras), will be appointed the new Auditor-General on Feb 8, a day after leaving his current roles.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/outgoing-iras-chief-take-over-auditor-general-february
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250110-5716183
Business News
Frasers Property: optimistic about local property market as Singapore’s fundamentals remain strong
Listed property developer Frasers Property is optimistic about the resilience of Singapore’s residential market as the city-state’s fundamentals remain strong. Singapore-based Frasers Property made the comment in response to queries from the Securities Investors Association of Singapore (SIAS).
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250111-5719837
Suntec Reit unitholders should reject revised S$1.19-a-unit offer: Morningstar
Investment research company Morningstar has recommended that unitholders of Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust (Reit) reject the revised S$1.19 apiece cash offer from property tycoon Gordon Tang and his wife Celine.
Views, Reviews, Forum and Others
ICA suspends online change of address service after scammers alter dozens of victims’ addresses
Singapore – The home addresses of about 60 people were changed online without their knowledge, after scammers obtained their NRIC and Singpass details. Scammers had used compromised Singpass accounts to circumvent several security safeguards in the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority’s (ICA) change of address system.
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250111-5719781
At least 82 cases of malware scams reported since December, with $625,000 in losses
Singapore – Scammers remain a menace, with at least 82 cases of malware scams reported since December 2024 and total losses amounting to about $625,000. The victims fell for an emerging variant of the malware scam by responding to fraudulent Facebook and TikTok advertisements for travel and cleaning services, said the police on Jan 10. Victims would leave their contact details to indicate their interest.
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250111-5718462
Public urged to check live crowd map before visiting Chinatown bazaar just before CNY: Police
Singapore – People visiting Chinatown in the days leading up to Chinese New Year are encouraged to check a live crowd map before heading down, the police said on Jan 10. This is because large crowds are expected around the Chinatown Street Bazaar, held between Jan 8 and the eve of Chinese New Year on Jan 28.
Global Economy & Real Estate
Potential US tariffs to put pressure on currencies of export-oriented economies: analysts
IMF chief sees steady world growth in 2025, continuing disinflation
US inflation is set to back Fed pause after robust jobs data
Trump spared jail, fine or probation at hush money sentencing days before inauguration
US job growth beats expectations in December; jobless rate falls to 4.1%
Canada has counter-tariffs ready if Trump launches trade war, Trudeau says
Chinese developers begin new year with deepening debt woes
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/chinese-developers-begin-new-year-deepening-debt-woes
China Evergrande’s key unit ordered to liquidate by Hong Kong court
Mainland Chinese buyers to continue driving Hong Kong housing demand in 2025, analysts say
Dubai’s world beating property rally shows signs of strain
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/dubais-world-beating-property-rally-shows-signs-strain
IMF turns less upbeat on Hong Kong growth, with 2025 forecast cut
Hong Kong’s leader calls on entrepreneurs to seize opportunities over border
Japan’s economy minister vows to coordinate policy with Bank of Japan
Rosy wage outlook, weak yen drawing BOJ attention to inflation risks
Property a big winner: Potential Malaysia beneficiaries from Johor-Singapore SEZ
Malaysia’s November industrial production up 3.6%, above forecast
Malaysia focuses on attracting young Chinese tourists after missing 2024 target
Taiwan expects small impact from Trump tariffs on chip exports
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