Weekly News Select - Huttons Asia
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Weekly News Select Sep 10, 2021 / Issue 36 Top News for the Week • Freehold's premium may provide clue on valuing infrastructure spend • Singapore remains in preparatory stage, no further loosening of Covid-19 curbs for now • Singapore steps up testing as Covid-19 cases double in a week • Snap 14-day WFH for firms if infected workers are in office in past week • Singapore's retail sector more resilient than a year ago: economists • Construction raw material prices to stay high amid supply chain, shipping disruptions • Singapore's unemployment rates rise in July, ending eight-month streak of improvement • Employers with at least 10 staff must notify MOM of all retrenchments from Nov 1 Residential Freehold's premium may provide clue on valuing infrastructure spend Property buyers in Singapore value freehold tenures enough to dish out a premium of 15-20 per cent over a 99-year leasehold condominium, going by findings from a study by the National University of Singapore (NUS). From studying condominium transactions in Singapore over 1995 to 2015, the researchers found low and declining long-run discount rates, with market discount rates declining to levels below previous estimates. Likening property to infrastructure, the NUS researchers believe their findings could guide policymakers in using cost-benefit analysis in other areas, such as valuing expensive infrastructure projects or policies seeking to mitigate climate change. This could include projects such as high speed rail links and electric buses for public transportation or policies aimed at the decarbonisation of the shipping industry. Link to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/freeholds-premium-may-provide-clue-on-valuing-infrastructure-spend OK Lim's Second Avenue bungalow on sale by public tender A three-storey Good Class Bungalow (GCB) belonging to Hin Leong founder Lim Oon Kuin, better known as OK Lim, is for sale along with another GCB at Caldecott Hill Estate. These properties are for purchase by public tender and by expression of interest (EOI), respectively, with their deadlines being Sept 30 and two weeks from Oct 5. The GCB at 5 Second Avenue in Bukit Timah sits on 19,984 sq ft of land with a gross floor area of about 10,000 sq ft. The property comes with a well-manicured garden, swimming pool, large car porch and a squash court in the basement. The other GCB for sale by EOI was described as a "resort-like two-storey bungalow set in the tranquil surroundings of Caldecott Hill Estate". With a land area of 29,483 sq ft and its close Huttons Asia Pte Ltd | L3008899K | ROC No. 200210087C | GST Reg No. 20-0210087-C 3 Bishan Place #05-01, CPF Building, S (579838) | Tel. (65) 6253 0030 | Fax (65) 6253 0090 www.huttonsgroup.com
Weekly News Select Sep 10, 2021 / Issue 36 proximity to the Caldecott MRT station, it will attract buyers looking to own the perfect family home. Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/ok-lims-second-avenue-bungalow-on-sale-by-public-tender https://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/ok-lims-second-avenue-gcb-put-up-for-sale-by-tender HDB resale prices rise in August to just 0.1% below peak; record high of 26 million- dollar flats sold Housing Board resale prices rose for the 14th consecutive month, climbing at a faster pace of 1.1 per cent in August compared with July, according to flash data from a real estate portal. Prices are just 0.1 per cent off the peak in April 2013, which means September prices are likely to hit a record high as strong demand continues to outstrip flat supply. With more construction delays expected, resale flat demand strengthened despite August being the Hungry Ghost month, when sales typically slow down. Year on year, resale prices were 13.7 per cent higher than in August 2020, with price growth observed across both mature and non-mature estates, and all room types. A total of 2,748 HDB resale flats changed hands last month, increasing 3.2 per cent from the month before. August also saw 26 resale flats sold for at least S$1 million, the highest number of million-dollar flats sold in a month on record. Huttons Asia chief executive Mark Yip said he foresees prices to increase by more than 10 per cent, with close to 30,000 resale units changing hands this year, up from the 24,000 units last year. Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/hdb-resale-prices-rise-in-august-to-just-01-below-peak-record-high- of-26-million-0 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/hdb-resale-prices-rise-in-august-to-just-01-below-peak-record- high-of-26-million https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/why-are-hdb-resale-prices-rising-and-what-does-this-mean-for- home-buyers Commercial Peace Centre/Peace Mansion tries for en bloc again with S$650m reserve price Peace Centre/Peace Mansion (PCPM) has been put on the market for collective sale once again. This time, the owners are expecting offers in excess of S$650 million. The minimum price of S$650 million reflects a unit land rate of about S$1,443 per sq ft per plot ratio, after including an estimated lease top-up premium, but before factoring in bonus balcony plot ratio for the residential component. The 76,617 sq ft site the property sits on has a verified gross plot ratio of about 7.89 and may be redeveloped up to a height of 55 m Singapore height datum, with part of the site potentially rising as high as 67 m. Huttons Asia Pte Ltd | L3008899K | ROC No. 200210087C | GST Reg No. 20-0210087-C 3 Bishan Place #05-01, CPF Building, S (579838) | Tel. (65) 6253 0030 | Fax (65) 6253 0090 www.huttonsgroup.com
Weekly News Select Sep 10, 2021 / Issue 36 Based on a grant of outline planning permission (OPP) from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in 2019, a developer may redevelop the site up to an existing gross floor area (GFA) of 604,578 sq ft with 60 per cent commercial GFA and 40 per cent residential GFA. This means the site could yield about 362,747 sq ft of commercial space and some 241,831 sq ft of residential units - or about 240 units at an average size of 1,000 sq ft, subject to the relevant authority's approval. As the site is zoned for commercial use under URA's Master Plan 2019, there will be no additional buyer's stamp duty for its purchase. There is also no requirement for a pre-application feasibility study for the site based on enquiry with the Land Transport Authority. The latest tender for PCPM will close on Oct 19, 3pm. Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/peace-centrepeace-mansion-tries-for-en-bloc-again-with-s650m- reserve-price https://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/peace-centre-complex-tries-for-en-bloc-again-with-s650m-reserve- price Retail Luxury boutique Pedder On Scotts to close on Sept 26 After six years in operation, luxury multi-brand accessories boutique Pedder On Scotts will close on Sept 26. The 20,000 sq ft store wrapping around the second floor of Scotts Square, in Scotts Road, is Hong Kong-based retailer Pedder Group’s largest free-standing store in Asia. Specialising in fashionable footwear, handbags and accessories, it opened to much fanfare in 2015, amid an industry-wide retail slump. In response to queries from The Straits Times, a spokesman for the Pedder Group said Pedder On Scotts will close "as the landlord is changing the retail mix of the mall". The spokesman did not indicate whether Pedder On Scotts was looking for a new space. Link to the story: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/pedder-on-scotts-to-close-on-sep-26 Government Singapore remains in preparatory stage, no further loosening of Covid-19 curbs for now Singapore is staying within its preparatory stage of transiting to endemic Covid-19, with no loosening of measures for now, the multi-ministry taskforce on Covid-19 announced. Community cases have been rising since late August, with 216 new locally-transmitted cases reported on Sep 3. Though an increase had been expected as curbs were loosened, there is a need to monitor the situation to "avoid a significant and sustained surge", said Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, who co-chairs the taskforce. Huttons Asia Pte Ltd | L3008899K | ROC No. 200210087C | GST Reg No. 20-0210087-C 3 Bishan Place #05-01, CPF Building, S (579838) | Tel. (65) 6253 0030 | Fax (65) 6253 0090 www.huttonsgroup.com
Weekly News Select Sep 10, 2021 / Issue 36 Singapore will thus stay in the preparatory stage and maintain current safe management measures for now, to allow authorities to monitor the situation and ensure it remains under control before reopening further, he said. Mr Gan noted that as more social and economic activities resume, Singapore can expect transmission to increase, and will have to step up testing efforts to detect cases earlier and faster. Vaccination and testing thus remain the key engines in the journey towards Covid resilience, he said. A vaccine booster programme will be rolled out in September for the elderly and the immunocompromised. Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/singapore-remains-in-preparatory-stage-no-further- loosening-of-covid-19-curbs-for https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/covid-19-booster-shots-for-seniors-aged-60-and-above-and- immunocompromised-people-from Stricter pre-departure testing for some travellers into Singapore From Sept 9, all travellers into Singapore from Category II, III and IV countries will need to produce a negative pre-departure Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction test result taken within 48 hours before leaving for Singapore, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a statement. Previously, the requirement had been for the test to be taken within 72 hours before travel, and applied to those coming from Category III and IV countries. The new requirement takes effect at 11.59pm on Sep 9, along with other changes to border measures for travellers from a number of countries and regions. According to MOH, Category I comprises places with the lowest risk of Covid-19 transmission, Category II countries are those with similar Covid-19 risk profiles to Singapore, Category III nations are deemed to be at higher risk of Covid-19 infections, and Category IV countries are the remaining places with the highest risk of Covid-19 infection. MOH has placed several countries in new categories. South Korea, previously in Category III, has been added to Category II. Other countries in Category II include Australia, New Zealand and Germany. Croatia, Egypt, Finland, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Sweden, previously in Category IV, are now in Category III. Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/stricter-pre-departure-testing-for-some-travellers-into- singapore https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/community/updated-pre-departure-testing-requirement-for-travellers-and- border-measures-to Singapore steps up testing as Covid-19 cases double in a week Singapore is increasing the frequency of Covid-19 tests for workers in "high-risk" settings to once a week from September 13, while distributing antigen rapid test (ART) kits to all employers, amid a worrying rise in cases, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said. Huttons Asia Pte Ltd | L3008899K | ROC No. 200210087C | GST Reg No. 20-0210087-C 3 Bishan Place #05-01, CPF Building, S (579838) | Tel. (65) 6253 0030 | Fax (65) 6253 0090 www.huttonsgroup.com
Weekly News Select Sep 10, 2021 / Issue 36 "What is of concern to us is not just the absolute number of cases but the rate at which the virus is spreading, and that's the reproduction rate, or R," said Mr Wong, who is also co-chair of the Covid- 19 multi-ministry taskforce. "Currently, the R is more than one. Cases are doubling every week," he said, describing it as an “exponential increase”. If Singapore stays on this trajectory of infection, it could see 1,000 daily cases in two weeks or possibly 2,000 daily cases in a month. Even so, the government does not plan to tighten Covid-19 restrictions for now but will instead ramp up testing and contact tracing more aggressively to ringfence the cases. He said: “If despite our best efforts, we find that the number of serious cases needing oxygen in ICU care goes up sharply, then we may have no choice but to tighten our overall posture.” Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/singapore-steps-up-testing-as-covid-19-cases-double-in-a- week https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/spore-rolls-out-measures-to-slow-down-community-cases-including- health-risk https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/reduce-non-essential-social-activities-for-next-two-weeks-lawrence-wong https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/no-social-gatherings-at-spore-workplaces-from-sept-8-tougher-action-if- covid-19-cases Snap 14-day WFH for firms if infected workers are in office in past week Firms with employees who were in the workplace at any time in the seven days prior to testing positive for Covid-19 must require all employees able to do so to work from home (WFH) for 14 days. Employers must also take active steps to guard against potential outbreaks at the workplace by requiring workers on MCs to closely monitor their health before returning to the office, and to ensure, where possible, that their workers visit only one clinic should they feel unwell, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said. Should a 14-day WFH period be activated, the firm should encourage all its employees to conduct self-swab Covid-19 tests every two to three days during the period, the ministry added. Once an employee is confirmed to have contracted Covid-19, the firm should immediately vacate and cordon off the immediate section of the workplace premises where the confirmed case worked, said MOM. But it added there is no need to vacate the building or the whole floor if there had been no sustained and close contact with the confirmed case. The firm should then carry out a thorough cleaning and disinfection of all relevant on-site areas and assets that were exposed to confirmed cases, in accordance to the National Environment Agency's guidelines. Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/snap-14-day-wfh-for-firms-if-infected-workers-are-in- office-in-past-week https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/immediate-14-day-wfh-for-firms-if-infected-workers-returned-to-office-in- past-week-mom Huttons Asia Pte Ltd | L3008899K | ROC No. 200210087C | GST Reg No. 20-0210087-C 3 Bishan Place #05-01, CPF Building, S (579838) | Tel. (65) 6253 0030 | Fax (65) 6253 0090 www.huttonsgroup.com
Weekly News Select Sep 10, 2021 / Issue 36 Buildings in S'pore have to meet higher standards to be certified green under refreshed scheme New and existing buildings will now have to hit higher sustainability standards to be certified green, with the reduction of embodied carbon in developments as one of the criteria emphasised. The changes to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark scheme come as Singapore pushes towards its target to become a low-carbon built environment. The refreshed scheme places greater emphasis, among other criteria, on the integration of smart technologies, the creation of healthier environments for building users and the reduction of embodied carbon in developments, said National Development Minister Desmond Lee. Embodied carbon refers to the carbon or energy consumed through the production of materials used for construction and during the construction process itself. The refreshed scheme was launched at the virtual International Built Environment Week 2021 event, which runs till Sept 10. Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/buildings-in-spore-have-to-meet-higher-standards-to-be- certified-green-under https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/buildings-in-spore-have-to-meet-higher-standards-to-be-certified-green- under-refreshed Economy Singapore's retail sector more resilient than a year ago: economists Singapore’s retail sector appears to be more resilient than a year ago, with consumer sentiment looking promising in July despite fluctuating restrictions on Covid-19, economists said. Total retail sales crept up 0.2 per cent year on year, as low-base effects from last year have almost worn off, data from the Department of Statistics Singapore (SingStat) showed. But on a month-on-month seasonally adjusted basis, retail sales grew 0.8 per cent. This was despite dine-in rules having been recalibrated twice that month - from two diners per group to five and then back to two - after which a ban was imposed from July 22 with a reversion to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert), or P2HA. Phase 3 (Heightened Alert) had lasted from June 14 to July 21. Meanwhile, total F&B sales grew 12.9 per cent sequentially, with all categories experiencing growth. SingStat said this was because dine-ins were allowed for up to two for just 10 days in June, compared with July, when groups of up to five were allowed to dine in for 21 days. Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/singapores-retail-sector-more-resilient-than-a-year-ago- economists https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/singapore-retail-sales-see-marginal-02-rise-in-july-as-fb-takings- get-hit Huttons Asia Pte Ltd | L3008899K | ROC No. 200210087C | GST Reg No. 20-0210087-C 3 Bishan Place #05-01, CPF Building, S (579838) | Tel. (65) 6253 0030 | Fax (65) 6253 0090 www.huttonsgroup.com
Weekly News Select Sep 10, 2021 / Issue 36 Construction raw material prices to stay high amid supply chain, shipping disruptions Construction raw material prices look set to remain elevated as countries around the world struggle to contain the Delta coronavirus variant. In particular, companies have been grappling with lockdown-induced supply chain and shipping disruptions since the start of this year. And as demand rose on the back of global economic recovery, supply has struggled to keep pace. A Singapore Contractors Association (SCAL) spokesperson said steel rebar prices have risen 54 per cent, aluminium prices 59 per cent, copper prices 81 per cent and concrete prices more than 20 per cent. Soaring shipping costs have also been a cause of concern for companies importing construction materials from overseas. The Freightos Baltic Index, a global benchmark for major shipping routes, has risen from S$1,946 a year ago to S$10,323 for the week of Aug 27. Lockdown-related disruptions have also caused the price of cement to increase by up to 40 per cent. SCAL said it does not foresee prices falling to pre-pandemic levels in the near term as countries such as India, China and the United States have been stimulating their domestic economies with infrastructure projects. "With the US$1 trillion infrastructure package being rolled out at the same period by the US government, global demand for raw materials, especially for metal commodities, may surge, and this will push the prices higher. Construction costs will therefore be on the rise." Link to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/construction-raw-material-prices-to-stay-high-amid-supply- chain-shipping Singapore's unemployment rates rise in July, ending eight-month streak of improvement Singapore’s unemployment rates rose in July after having trended downward for the past eight months, which may have been due to tightened Covid-19 curbs in preceding months, latest Ministry of Manpower (MOM) figures showed. Overall unemployment was 2.8 per cent in July, up from 2.7 per cent in June and comparable to May. Resident unemployment rose to 3.7 per cent from 3.5 per cent previously, though still below May's 3.8 per cent figure. Citizen unemployment was 3.9 per cent in July, up from 3.7 per cent in June but lower than May's 4 per cent rate. There were 87,300 unemployed residents in July, of which 77,200 were citizens. This is up from 86,600 unemployed residents in June, but lower than the 88,600 in May. Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/singapores-unemployment-rates-rise-in-july-ending-eight- month-streak-of https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapores-unemployment-rate-up-by-02-in-july-for-first-time-in-10- months Huttons Asia Pte Ltd | L3008899K | ROC No. 200210087C | GST Reg No. 20-0210087-C 3 Bishan Place #05-01, CPF Building, S (579838) | Tel. (65) 6253 0030 | Fax (65) 6253 0090 www.huttonsgroup.com
Weekly News Select Sep 10, 2021 / Issue 36 Employers with at least 10 staff must notify MOM of all retrenchments from Nov 1 Employers with at least 10 staff will have to notify the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) of all layoffs from Nov 1, regardless of the number of employees affected, the ministry said. Currently, employers are only required to notify the authorities when they retrench five or more people within a six-month period. Employers must file the notification within five working days after they provide the notice of retrenchment to the affected staff. This can be done at www.mom.gov.sg/notify-retrenchment. Those who do not comply may have to pay administrative penalties of up to S$2,000. Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/employers-with-at-least-10-staff-must-notify-mom-of-all- retrenchments-from-nov-1 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/jobs/firms-with-at-least-10-staff-have-to-notify-mom-of-any-retrenchment Hospitality Nearly $178m in bookings made for SingapoRediscovers vouchers As at Sept 1, about 1.2 million adult Singapore citizens have used their SingapoRediscovers vouchers (SRV) at least once, making nearly 1.5 million transactions, said the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). The bookings amounted to about $178 million in vouchers and cash payments, STB told The Straits Times. Industry operators are optimistic the SRV will help them tide through the pandemic now that more than 80 per cent of the population has been vaccinated. Those who do not want to redeem their SRV can donate them to organisations like the Special Olympics Singapore on GlobalTix. Link to the story: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/consumer/nearly-178m-in-bookings-made-for-singaporediscovers- vouchers-stb Park Hotel Farrer Park relaunches under Holiday Inn brand The 300-room Park Hotel Farrer Park, owned by RB Capital and previously managed by Park Hotel Group, has been renamed Holiday Inn Singapore Little India, effective Sep 7. Its new manager, global hospitality company IHG Hotels & Resorts, told The Business Times that the hotel will undergo a renovation and relaunch "with a vibrant fresh identity and positioning". With the new signing, IHG now manages three of RB Capital's Singapore hotels, totalling nearly 1,000 keys. The other two are Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay, opened in 2014, and InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, opened in 2017. Link to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/park-hotel-farrer-park-relaunches-under-holiday-inn-brand Huttons Asia Pte Ltd | L3008899K | ROC No. 200210087C | GST Reg No. 20-0210087-C 3 Bishan Place #05-01, CPF Building, S (579838) | Tel. (65) 6253 0030 | Fax (65) 6253 0090 www.huttonsgroup.com
Weekly News Select Sep 10, 2021 / Issue 36 Four-storey hotel along Sims Avenue up for sale with S$23m guide price Regin Hotel, a freehold four-storey hotel located at 56 Sims Avenue, has been put up for sale with a guide price of S$23 million. The guide price translates to S$500,000 per key or S$2,166 per sq ft on the total floor area of 10,620 sq ft. The hotel sits on a freehold site of 3,172 sq ft that is zoned for residential or institution use. It has obtained permanent boarding house approval and has 46 rooms, a lift, four carpark lots and an internal courtyard. The sale will be conducted through an expression of interest exercise which closes on Oct 14 at 3pm. Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/four-storey-hotel-along-sims-avenue-up-for-sale-with-s23m-guide- price https://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/four-storey-hotel-along-sims-avenue-up-for-sale-with-23m-guide- price Industrial German testing giant opens new $100m regional hub in Singapore A global testing and certification giant has opened a new $100 million regional hub here, in a move Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat described as a vote of confidence in Singapore and the region amid the Covid-19 pandemic. German company TUV SUD's new facility at the International Business Park in Jurong houses more than 60 laboratories to explore various technologies as part of the company's global research and development efforts. The seven-storey office and laboratory facility spans 18,900 sq m - around two and a half football fields - and some 650 employees have moved there from their former premises at Singapore Science Park. Link to the story: https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/german-firm-with-new-100m-regional-hub-in-singapore- to-create-50-more Sustainability a key focus at Epson’s new South-east Asia headquarters Epson's South-east Asia headquarters on Sept 8 moved from an office space in HarbourFront to Alexandra Technopark, where it will have two solution centres to display new products to customers in the region. Among these is a system that companies can use to turn their wastepaper into new, reusable paper. The electronics company, which has hosted its regional headquarters in Singapore since 1982, said the opening of the larger premises will bring new job opportunities in sales and marketing, business-to-business specialisation and digitalisation. Epson currently hires 200 people in Singapore and 800 regionally. Its office here serves Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Huttons Asia Pte Ltd | L3008899K | ROC No. 200210087C | GST Reg No. 20-0210087-C 3 Bishan Place #05-01, CPF Building, S (579838) | Tel. (65) 6253 0030 | Fax (65) 6253 0090 www.huttonsgroup.com
Weekly News Select Sep 10, 2021 / Issue 36 Link to the story: https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/epsons-new-southeast-asia-headquarters-will-aim-to- push-for-sustainable Contact: Lee Sze Teck Head, Research (65) 6500 6510 szetecklee@huttonsgroup.com This document has been prepared by Huttons Asia for general information only. Huttons Asia does not guarantee warrant or represent that the information contained in this document is correct. Any interested party should undertake their own enquiries as to the accuracy of the information. Huttons Asia excludes unequivocally all inferred or implied terms, conditions and warranties arising out of this document and excludes all liability for loss and damage arising directly or indirectly there-from. All rights reserved. *The Business Times (BT) Online and *The Straits Times (ST) Interactive are a subscribers-only website. As such, you will not be able to access the URL link to the articles unless you are registered as a subscriber. Huttons Asia Pte Ltd | L3008899K | ROC No. 200210087C | GST Reg No. 20-0210087-C 3 Bishan Place #05-01, CPF Building, S (579838) | Tel. (65) 6253 0030 | Fax (65) 6253 0090 www.huttonsgroup.com
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