Daily Archives: 24 Sep 2009

Local projects garner global accolades

Posted on 24 Sep 2009 | Comments Off on Local projects garner global accolades

Singaporean developments put up a respectable showing this year picking up regional and international awards

REAL estate companies in Singapore and the rest of Asia are now placing greater emphasis on winning awards that give their projects – as well as the developer the award-winning properties are associated with – an international stamp of quality.

Top quality: (From above onwards) The Quayside Isle Collection at Sentosa Cove, Mapletree Business City and Far East Organization’s Orchard Scotts are just some of the projects that have done Singapore proud

One of the most prestigious international awards a developer can win for his property is the FIABCI Prix d’Excellence. FIABCI is the French acronym for the International Real Estate Federation, which organises the annual Prix d’Excellence to recognise excellence in property development.

Singaporean projects put up a respectable showing this year. Orchard Scotts, by Far East Organization, came up tops in the residential category, while Newton Suites, by UOL Group, took second spot. The St Regis Singapore, by City Developments, Hong Leong Holdings and TID Pte Ltd, won in the hotel category.

Entrants are evaluated on five criteria: global concept, architecture and design, development and construction, community benefit and environmental impact, and financials and marketing. The FIABCI award is especially prized as a project has to do well in all five categories to win acclaim.

Singapore developments have performed well in the FIABCI competition over the past few years, ever since City Developments’ Republic Plaza became the first project to bag the FIABCI Prix d’Excellence overall winner prize in 1997. Other top winners over the years include Suntec City, Prudential Tower, Caribbean at Keppel Bay, the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, 1 Moulmein Rise and One Raffles Quay. Continue reading →

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Posted in Developers, Luxury Property, Property Market / Real Estate, Sentosa Property

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DBS: Bringing the Reit to life in S’pore

Posted on 24 Sep 2009 | Comments Off on DBS: Bringing the Reit to life in S’pore

THE emergence of real estate investment trusts (Reits) as a highly popular instrument here, and applying for initial public offerings (IPOs) via the ATM, are all part and parcel of the financial landscape now.

However, they required much burning of the midnight oil to ensure they came to fruition, and DBS Bank was in the thick of these developments. By launching financial instruments that were new to Singapore such as Reits, bringing in foreign debt and equity offerings, as well as encouraging dual listings, it helped turn the Republic into a key fund-raising centre.

Earlier this month, DBS won an award from the Singapore Exchange (SGX) for just that pioneering role. SGX singled out the bank’s contribution of bringing in local and foreign listings as well as Reits.

DBS’ corporate finance department was set up in 1972. Many now-familiar public corporate names were listed here with the help of DBS. These include Olam, Hyflux and Venture Manufacturing. The bank also had a hand in the IPOs of many Temasek Holdings-linked companies such as Neptune Orient Lines, Singapore Airlines and SingTel. Continue reading →

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Posted in Funds

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