SINGAPORE: Mapletree India China Fund, a US$1.16-billion private real estate fund under Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd, is acquiring Beijing Gateway Plaza at RMB2.9 billion.

WASHINGTON: The commercial real estate market has fallen more than 40 percent from early 2007 and a wave of loan failures in the next few years could threaten the U.S. economy just as it struggles back to its feet, a report from the panel overseeing the US$700 billion bank bailout said.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) has appointed Reginald T Pereira as its new chief executive.

NEW YORK: As if Times Square wasn't enough of a zoo, just wait for its newest neighbor: a giant aquarium in a new office building.

Toronto-based Aquarium Development Corp has signed a preliminary agreement to lease the first seven floors of 11 Times Square on the corner of Eighth Avenue and 42nd Street in Manhattan, three people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday Feb 10.

BEIJING: Chinese property prices in 70 cities rose 9.5 percent in January from a year earlier, up from 7.8 percent in December, the National Development and Reform Commission said Thursday Feb 11.

It was the eighth consecutive year-on-year rise after seven months of deaclines, adding to worries that a bubble in the property market was forming.

KUALA LUMPUR: Kenanga Research is keeping its Buy call on Mah Sing Group at RM1.80 with a target price of RM2.10 after exercising its option to buy a piece of land in Cyberjaya.

Mah Sing intends to exercise its option to purchase 6.32 acres of freehold commercial land, adjacent to Garden Residence, Cyberjaya.

KUALA LUMPUR: Amanahraya Real Estate Investment Trust (ARREIT) registered a lower pre-tax profit of RM30.88 million for its financial year ended Dec 31, 2009, compared with RM67.07 million in the previous year.

Revenue, however rose to RM46.52 million from RM45.56 million.

KUALA LUMPUR: Mah Sing Group Bhd through its wholly-owned subsidiary Myvilla Development Sdn Bhd has, on Feb 10 has announced its intention to acquire a tract of commercial land measuring 6.32 acres in Cyberjaya from Cyberview Sdn Bhd for a sum of RM21,743,422.

PUTRAJAYA: Putrajaya Corp will organise an international conference themed "Green Cities: Putrajaya Urban Conference Series 2010," over two days beginning Feb 23 at the Putrajaya Corporation Complex here.

HONG KONG: Property developer Greentown China Holdings Ltd said it may jointly set up property companies with total investment capital of five billion yuan (RM323.43 million) with Shanghai-listed Shandong Expressway.