KUALA LUMPUR: The upcoming Malaysian Structural Steel Association (MSSA) International Convention 2010 to be held on Nov 2 will focus on sustainability issues surrounding the steel industry in Malaysia and globally.

KUALA LUMPUR: Glomac Bhd is buying 18 condominium units in Suria Stonor Condominium for RM38.41 million from two parties, Dekad Darat Sdn Bhd (10 units) and Progressive Berg Sdn Bhd (8 units) announced on Bursa Malaysia on Monday, October 25.

HONG KONG: According to the Hong Kong Economic Times (HKET), on Monday, Oct 25, the weekend transaction volume for the 10 major secondary residential estates, for the last weekend (Oct 23-24), has gone up to 94 transactions (from 84 transactions during Oct 16 - 17).

This implies the 3-year-high since November 2007. The volume has gone up for the 3rd week consecutively.

SHANGHAI: Global serviced apartment operator Frasers Hospitality is in talks with local insurer Ping An for a future tie-up that would reinforce an aggressive expansion in China, its key growth market in the next two years.

KUALA LUMPUR: In building a more dynamic local retail market that will contribute RM165 billion annually to Gross National Income (GNI) by 2020, companies in Malaysia need to modernise and innovate by  applying international retail best practices.

This will further drive retail spending with the wholesale and retail sector being a major contributor to the GNI.

KUALA LUMPUR: Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), formed to provide provide funding for those sectors normally not assisted by other financial institutions, have a potential role to play in funding the country's infrastructure development, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department,Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

KUALA LUMPUR: The aspiration for Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley (Greater KL/KV) is to drive rapid growth parallel with upgrading the city's liveability, according to the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP)'s A Roadmap for Malaysia.

For this National Key Economic Area (NKEA), the Greater KL/KV extends beyond the boundaries of Kuala Lumpur.

Hunza Properties

We recently met Parkson Holdings Bhd (Parkson) management to get the latest update on the company. Below is the information we gathered from the meeting:

Strong SSS growth recorded
. Parkson recorded a strong SSS (same store sales) growth in FY06/10 with +11% recorded in Malaysia, +26.9% Vietnam, and 11.3% China.

HONG KONG: Chinese property developer CJ Land Holdings is set to raise up to US$619 million (RM1.92 billion) in an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong, according to a term sheet obtained by Reuters on Monday, Oct 25.