KUALA LUMPUR: Human resources remained a crucial issue for the construction industry, especially with regards to the shortage of skilled workers, said Master Builders Association of Malaysia (MBAM) president Kwan Foh Kwai.

WASHINGTON: As many as 50,000 struggling homeowners in five states with high unemployment may receive help from a special US$600 million (RM1.9 billion)federal fund intended to head off some foreclosures.

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM82.3 billion worth of construction and infrastructure projects are expected to be implemented this year at the tail end of the government’s stimulus package and the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010), said the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).

LONDON: Non-British investors are finding it increasingly difficult to secure mortgages on British property as many high-street banks and building societies refuse loans to overseas buyers, industry participants say.

HONG KONG: Luxury flat owners on Hong Kong Island have scared off buyers by raising their prices after the prime site in Mount Nicholson Road on The Peak sold for HK$10.4 billion (RM4.24 billion), the third-highest land price ever, last week.

SINGAPORE: Singapore is Asia's most expensive country in which to build, followed by Hong Kong, an international construction cost report says.

The price of construction in the city state is nearly 7% higher than in Britain, according to the survey conducted by EC Harris, an international consultancy for the real estate, infrastructure and construction sectors.

KUALA LUMPUR: Desa Parkcity developer, Perdana ParkCity Sdn Bhd, will soon begin work on the Sime Darby Medical Centre Parkcity, and it is scheduled for completion in 2012, said Perdana ParkCity group CEO Lee Liam Chye.

KUALA LUMPUR: Ipoh's real estate properties are often underrated and misunderstood by the public, chief executive of Superboom Projects Sdn Bhd Peter Chan said during his presentation at the 21st National Real Estate Convention (NREC) on Tuesday, Aug 3.

SEOUL: Housing prices across South Korea declined in July from a month earlier, marking their first month-on-month fall since March 2009, after a surprise rate hike by the central bank.

Nationwide housing prices in South Korea dropped by an average 0.1% in July from June, after holding flat in both May and June, data from the country's top mortgage lender showed on Tuesday.