HONG KONG: Analysts say the government's latest measures to rein in fast-rising property prices won't work.

But that doesn't mean the administration is wrong to try damping down the market, says one observer.

SINGAPORE: The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced on Oct 19 that it has accepted an application from a  developer to put up a hotel site at Robinson Road/Boon Tat Street for sale via public tender.

LONDON: Savills Research expects the value of serviced plots and serviceable land in the United Kingdom to grow over the next few years, as supply of this type of land is likely to become increasingly constrained following uncertainty and hiatus in the planning system.

However, it noted that the outlook for value growth of bulk land at the national level is poor.

Property

KUALA LUMPUR:  Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has defended the proposal to build a 100-storey tower in Kuala Lumpur, costing RM5 billion, saying it was not a waste but an opportunity to generate the economy and create an icon for a developed and modern Malaysia. The prime minister said the construction of the tower would benefit many sectors.

SHANGHAI: China's banking regulator urged lenders to stop providing loans to developers who hoard land or delay property sales, the China Business News reported on Wednesday, Oct 20, an effort to help shield banks from risks in the real estate industry.

KUALA LUMPUR: Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd has been awarded a RM205.8 million contract to design and build a government office building and external works in Putrajaya, it announced on Bursa Malaysia on Tuesday, Oct 19.

The group was awarded the contract by Putrajaya Holdings Bhd, and work is expected to start this year and be completed in 2013.

KUALA LUMPUR: KP Property Sdn Bhd’s latest project, 288 Residency in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, has seen a 52% take-up rate over three days.

The developer soft-launched the serviced apartment project on Sunday, Oct 17.

The project was opened for sale following the success of the developer’s maiden project, 222 Residency, also located in Setapak, said a company official.

KUALA LUMPUR: Quill Capita Trust's earnings per unit (EPU) rose by 7.2% to 2.22 sen during the third quarter (3Q) ended Sept 30, 2010, up from 2.07 sen a year ago.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) is concerned with the rising household debt level which stood at 77%  of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last year.

In Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)'s 2009 annual report, household debt was reported to have risen to 76.6% for the year, the highest in Asia, from
63.9% of GDP in 2008.