KUALA LUMPUR: Retailers are rushing to expand their presence in Kota Kinabalu as the retail sector in Sabah’s capital is set to grow 5% to 10% in the next few years.

AS we bid farewell to 2013 and welcome 2014, questions abound as to what the new year will bring. Judging from the views of some of the winners of The Edge Malaysia Top Property Developers Awards 2013, next year is going to be challenging for all. However, whether in good times or bad, the top developers always find a way to stay ahead of the pack.

KUALA LUMPUR: Moving into 2014, residential and commercial property consultant, Knight Frank Malaysia, will welcome the new year with a seminar on real estate titled, Where to Invest: 2014?.The event will feature both local and international property and tax experts as well as discuss the local and international property trends of 2014, how the Malaysian property market is affected post budget

PETALING JAYA: The new Jaya Shopping Centre in Section 14, Petaling Jaya, has achieved an occupancy rate of 80% demonstrating confidence ahead of its anticipated opening in March.

BANGI: Mah Sing Group Bhd will unveil the first landed homes in its 428 acre (173ha) Southville City@ KL South in Bangi, Selangor by end-February. The group’s latest offering will span 15 acres and has a gross development value of RM150 million. “In total, there are 196 units of linked houses up for grabs.

KUALA LUMPUR: Hotel rates in most Asian cities are expected to become more affordable in 2014, following from a trend of decreasing rates in 2013, according to the Hotel Reservation Service (HRS).

PETALING JAYA: OSK Property Holdings Bhd is set to officially launch its RM398 million serviced apartment Eclipse Residence by end-March. The project, where units come fully furnished, is in Pan’gaea, a 16-acre integrated freehold development in the heart of Cyberjaya. The developer held a preview at Plaza OSK in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur from Nov 15 to 24.

SINGAPORE: Zhuoyuan Iskandar Sdn Bhd, a joint-venture company between China’s Zhuoda Group and Malaysia’s Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB), yesterday held a ground breaking ceremony for its flagship development — Paradiso Nuova — in the heart of Medini, Nusajaya, Iskandar Malaysia.