ALOR SETAR: The Kedah government proposes to arrange bank loans for public housing hire purchase defaulters who have run up arrears of RM27 million, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak said on Feb 24.

"The bank will pay the state government and the house owners will repay the loans," he told reporters after chairing the weekly meeting of the state executive council, here.

PETALING JAYA: The residential real estate sector in Abu Dhabi is entering a challenging yet likely beneficial phase of its development in the aftermath of the global economic slowdown, according to publishing, research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG).

Maintain BUY

* The full-year net earnings of RM40.3 million came in above ours and consensus expectations, largely driven by improved “Engineering  & Construction” (E&C) division’s contribution.

Plenitude’s annualised 1HFY10 earnings came in 29% above our expectation and consensus estimates, buoyed particularly by exceptionally strong new property sales and faster progress billings in 2QFY10.

HONG KONG: Hong Kong's government plans to raise the tax on luxury apartment deals and increase land supply to try and prevent the property market from overheating, a trend evident in many Asian markets.

HONG KONG: Surging home prices on the mainland have shown signs of slowing down as buyers hesitate about entering the market in the wake of government measures to cool property speculation.

But the slower pace of price growth last month does not signal an overall correction in home valuations, property consultants said.

HONG KONG: Property developers here could be heading for a profit bonanza this year as they cash in on tight supply and strong demand to release new projects at prices of up to 70% above current deals in the secondary market.

DUBAI/LONDON: Gulf state Qatar will have to endure at least another 12 months of falling property prices before a recovery in 2011, when the benefits of a prudent approach towards real estate development begin to pay off.

LONDON: Tokyo replaced Hong Kong as the world’s most expensive office location after rents in the Japanese capital declined at a slower pace, according to broker Cushman & Wakefield Inc.

NEW YORK: U.S. consumer confidence sagged to a 10-month low this month on worries about jobs and fears gridlock in Washington could hinder efforts to restart employment, curbing the economic recovery, according to Reuters.

The housing market also remains rickety, data showed on Tuesday Feb 23, further underscoring the economy's fragility.