Singapore Real Estate / Built Environment
Singapore’s urban rejuvenation schemes should be extended but fine-tuning needed: Experts
Two urban rejuvenation schemes of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) reached the end of their five-year term in late November, and industry experts said the initiatives, which have led to major city renewal projects, should be extended after some fine-tuning.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/urban-rejuvenation-schemes-should-be-extended-but-fine-tuning-needed-experts
Tough 2024 for suburban business parks with rising vacancies; muted growth for industrial rents in 2025
The business park segment in Singapore has faced challenges in 2024. It was besieged by concerns about whether new space in the pipeline could be absorbed, and increasing vacancy rates due to consolidation activities among companies looking to cut costs and use the workspace more efficiently.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/tough-2024-suburban-business-parks-rising-vacancies-muted-growth-industrial-rents-2025
Could Paragon soon change hands?
When a consortium wins a tough takeover battle to buy a bunch of property assets, the spoils of victory can be shared by selling the assets for a profit and returning cash to the consortium partners.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/could-paragon-soon-change-hands
Singapore Economy
Economists’ Singapore growth forecast jumps for 2024, but only edges up for 2025: survey
Private-Sector economists’ median forecast for full-year 2024 growth climbed significantly after the third quarter’s growth surprise – but 2025 growth only picked up slightly, based on the latest quarterly survey of professional forecasters published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on Wednesday (Dec 11).
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/economists-singapore-growth-forecast-jumps-2024-only-edges-2025-survey
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economists-raise-singapores-2025-growth-forecast-to-2-6-mas-survey
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20241211-5563182
CPF Special, MediSave and Retirement Accounts’ interest rate falls to 4% for Q1 2025
The interest rate for the Central Provident Fund’s (CPF) Special, MediSave and Retirement Accounts (SMRA) will fall to the floor rate of 4 per cent per annum from Jan 1 to Mar 31, 2025, from the current quarter’s 4.14 per cent per annum.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/cpf-special-medisave-and-retirement-accounts-interest-rate-falls-4-q1-2025
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/interest-rate-on-cpf-special-medisave-and-retirement-accounts-dip-to-4-for-first-quarter-of-2025
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/cpf-interest-rate-down-special-medisave-retirement-accounts-q1-2025-4799831
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20241211-5563770
Global Economy & Real Estate
Sticky US inflation gives Fed green light for December, yellow for 2025
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/sticky-inflation-gives-fed-green-light-for-december-yellow-for-2025
US CPI rises 0.3% in November, the largest gain in seven months
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/us-cpi-rises-0-3-november-largest-gain-seven-months
US consumer prices post largest gain in seven months in November
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/us-consumer-prices-post-largest-gain-in-seven-months-in-november
China may bank on balance-sheet expansion, not interest rate cuts, for growth: economist
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3290359/china-may-bank-balance-sheet-expansion-not-interest-rate-cuts-growth-economist
Chinese authorities are considering a weaker yuan as Trump trade risks loom: sources
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/global/chinese-authorities-are-considering-weaker-yuan-trump-trade-risks-loom-sources
Hong Kong hits ‘new highs’ in start-up numbers, foreign and mainland firms: Chan
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3290287/john-lee-calls-hong-kong-greater-bay-area-promoter-city-signs-investment-deal
Hong Kong home prices: up or down? Experts weigh in with their forecasts for 2025
https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3290372/hong-kong-home-prices-or-down-experts-weigh-their-forecasts-2025
Hong Kong’s New World sells Kowloon industrial tower for US$80 million: report
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/hong-kongs-new-world-sells-kowloon-industrial-tower-us80-million-report
New York to close giant family shelter to protect migrants from Trump
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/new-york-close-giant-family-shelter-protect-migrants-trump
New Zealand primary exports tipped to recover despite trade risk
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/new-zealand-primary-exports-tipped-recover-despite-trade-risk
South Korea flags economic risks as political turmoil rumbles on
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/south-korea-flags-economic-risks-political-turmoil-rumbles
Thailand unveils debt-relief measures to cover US$26 billion loans
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/thailand-unveils-debt-relief-measures-cover-us26-billion-loans
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/thai-cabinet-approves-measures-ease-household-debt-4800216
Bank of England set to stay in central bank slow lane and keep rates on hold
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/banking-finance/bank-england-set-stay-central-bank-slow-lane-and-keep-rates-hold
Landmark London office tower sale falls through on pricing deadlock: sources
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/landmark-london-office-tower-sale-falls-through-pricing-deadlock-sources
London’s Canary Wharf borrows £610 million from Apollo in refinancing deal
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/londons-canary-wharf-borrows-ps610-million-apollo-refinancing-deal
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