COE prices mixed
Posted: 19 January 2011 1643 hrs
SINGAPORE: Certificates of Entitlement (COE) premiums were mixed in the latest bidding exercise which ended on Wednesday.
The largest fall in COE price was that of big cars (above 1600cc), by S$10,090 to S$58,910.
Hybrid Motors sales manager Geraldine Lim said she was not surprised by the decrease as there were fewer bidders.
"This time around, some of the dealers, they would not be able to be in time for the Category B," Ms Lim said.
"Reason is, Chinese New Year is round the corner, and if the customers are not able to get their cars within this time frame, there is no need to go into the bidding, so that is one of the reasons why the COE has dropped."
However, Ms Lim said she expects COE premiums to rise steadily in future biddings.
Premium for the Goods Vehicles and Bus category also decreased, by S$5,111 to S$30,000.
Also recording a drop in COE prices was the Open category, which fell by S$8,780 to S$67,009.
The two categories which saw an increase in COE prices were the small cars (1600cc and below) and motorcycles.
Premium for small cars rose from S$38,889 to S$40,123, an increase of S$1,234.
Meanwhile, premium for motorcycles rose by S$187 to S$1,690.
The COE bidding results come before the Land Transport Authority's reduced COE quota kicks in next month.
The LTA announced on January 10 there would be 22,368 COEs available during the six months between February and July, which works out to three per cent or 695 certificates fewer than the previous six months.
The new supply works out to a monthly quota of 3,728.
-CNA/wk
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Singapore fertility rate falls to record low
Singapore fertility rate falls to record low
By Imelda Saad | Posted: 17 January 2011 1037 hrs
SINGAPORE: Preliminary estimates show that Singapore's total fertility rate has dropped to a record low of 1.16 last year. This is even lower than the 1.22 in 2009, and well below the replacement rate of 2.1.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said the number of new Permanent Residents in 2010, was halved from a year ago.
Mr Wong, who heads the newly formed National Population and Talent Division, revealed the numbers as he laid out the country's long-term strategy for managing population growth.
After an influx of foreigners during the boom years, the government took steps to mitigate their inflow in 2010. Criteria for PR status were tightened, while more was done to integrate new citizens.
The move comes amid growing discomfort among Singaporeans over the increased presence of foreigners in the country.
29,265 foreigners became permanent residents last year, a sharp drop from the 59,460 in 2009, and 79,200 in 2008.
The country's aging population and low fertility rate means that the government will need to tap on immigration to augment the population.
Singapore is still facing the problem of having not enough babies. Mr Wong said the government will continue to support couples' decision to get married and have children. He added authorities will aim for a pro-family environment but he also acknowledged that boosting fertility will take time.
In a speech on "Inclusive Growth" delivered at the Singapore Perspectives Conference organised by the Institute of Policy Studies, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng reiterated that citizens' interests will always come first.
Growing the population, Mr Wong explained, provides the critical mass to attract investors and grow domestic markets.
The key is in attracting the right kind of people.
"Singapore's population story is still evolving. Looking ahead, continual refinements will need to be made at appropriate junctures to ensure that Singapore will remain our best home. Like other countries around the world, we must continue to welcome suitably qualified people to work and live in Singapore and contribute to our society," said Mr Wong.
Mr Wong described these "suitably qualified people" as an "improvement in the quality of new PRs".
According to the latest population census, PRs in Singapore tend to be better educated. Almost half of the PR population last year were degree holders, compared with 18 per cent of citizens.
The number of new citizens remained relatively steady at 18, 758 in 2010, compared to 19,928 for 2009.
According to Mr Wong, the new Population and Talent Division will formulate, coordinate and review whole of Government policies. In doing so, Mr Wong said the focus is on achieving a "sustainable population profile".
Three principles will guide this effort - to preserve and uphold what is distinctive and unique about Singapore, to ensure growth and change benefit Singaporeans, and to remain nimble and prepared as well as make adjustments along the way.
Mr Wong said what is unique about Singapore is that its people "value hard work, thrift and honesty".
Singapore has also made multi-ethnic diversity work for it.
So in managing the population, Mr Wong said the government will "always be guided by the need to preserve a strong citizen core" and to "maintain stability" in the ethnic mix.
Observers say the latest figures on new immigrants will go some way in addressing Singaporeans' concerns.
Dr Leong Chan Hoong, a Research Fellow with the Institute of Policy Studies, said: "There is a very reassuring effect for Singaporeans and certainly I think this will help assure Singaporeans that the policy makers have their interests as a priority."
Inclusive growth has been a buzzword of late, and more recently, it was debated in Parliament. The idea is that no Singaporean is left out even as the country progresses. Observers said this is likely to be a hot button issue at the next general elections due by February 2012.
-CNA/ac/wk
- wong chee tat :)
By Imelda Saad | Posted: 17 January 2011 1037 hrs
SINGAPORE: Preliminary estimates show that Singapore's total fertility rate has dropped to a record low of 1.16 last year. This is even lower than the 1.22 in 2009, and well below the replacement rate of 2.1.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said the number of new Permanent Residents in 2010, was halved from a year ago.
Mr Wong, who heads the newly formed National Population and Talent Division, revealed the numbers as he laid out the country's long-term strategy for managing population growth.
After an influx of foreigners during the boom years, the government took steps to mitigate their inflow in 2010. Criteria for PR status were tightened, while more was done to integrate new citizens.
The move comes amid growing discomfort among Singaporeans over the increased presence of foreigners in the country.
29,265 foreigners became permanent residents last year, a sharp drop from the 59,460 in 2009, and 79,200 in 2008.
The country's aging population and low fertility rate means that the government will need to tap on immigration to augment the population.
Singapore is still facing the problem of having not enough babies. Mr Wong said the government will continue to support couples' decision to get married and have children. He added authorities will aim for a pro-family environment but he also acknowledged that boosting fertility will take time.
In a speech on "Inclusive Growth" delivered at the Singapore Perspectives Conference organised by the Institute of Policy Studies, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng reiterated that citizens' interests will always come first.
Growing the population, Mr Wong explained, provides the critical mass to attract investors and grow domestic markets.
The key is in attracting the right kind of people.
"Singapore's population story is still evolving. Looking ahead, continual refinements will need to be made at appropriate junctures to ensure that Singapore will remain our best home. Like other countries around the world, we must continue to welcome suitably qualified people to work and live in Singapore and contribute to our society," said Mr Wong.
Mr Wong described these "suitably qualified people" as an "improvement in the quality of new PRs".
According to the latest population census, PRs in Singapore tend to be better educated. Almost half of the PR population last year were degree holders, compared with 18 per cent of citizens.
The number of new citizens remained relatively steady at 18, 758 in 2010, compared to 19,928 for 2009.
According to Mr Wong, the new Population and Talent Division will formulate, coordinate and review whole of Government policies. In doing so, Mr Wong said the focus is on achieving a "sustainable population profile".
Three principles will guide this effort - to preserve and uphold what is distinctive and unique about Singapore, to ensure growth and change benefit Singaporeans, and to remain nimble and prepared as well as make adjustments along the way.
Mr Wong said what is unique about Singapore is that its people "value hard work, thrift and honesty".
Singapore has also made multi-ethnic diversity work for it.
So in managing the population, Mr Wong said the government will "always be guided by the need to preserve a strong citizen core" and to "maintain stability" in the ethnic mix.
Observers say the latest figures on new immigrants will go some way in addressing Singaporeans' concerns.
Dr Leong Chan Hoong, a Research Fellow with the Institute of Policy Studies, said: "There is a very reassuring effect for Singaporeans and certainly I think this will help assure Singaporeans that the policy makers have their interests as a priority."
Inclusive growth has been a buzzword of late, and more recently, it was debated in Parliament. The idea is that no Singaporean is left out even as the country progresses. Observers said this is likely to be a hot button issue at the next general elections due by February 2012.
-CNA/ac/wk
- wong chee tat :)
HarbourFront Centre gets Green Mark Platinum cert
HarbourFront Centre gets Green Mark Platinum cert
By Stella Lee | Posted: 17 January 2011 2027 hrs
SINGAPORE : The Building and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA) has awarded HarbourFront Centre a Green Mark Platinum certificate under the "Existing Buildings" category.
The highest rating for green buildings in Singapore recognises developments which are energy efficient.
Mapletree Investments, which owns HarbourFront Centre, retrofitted the 33-year old building with a more energy efficient central chiller plant in 2009.
Since then, the 13-storey complex - with 120 offices - has improved the efficiency of its air-conditioning system by 50 per cent.
It has helped to save about 1.3 million kilowatt per hour of energy annually.
Together with other energy saving initiatives, Mapletree has been able to reduce its electricity costs at HarbourFront by over 30 per cent.
Mapletree has also attained the Green Mark Gold Award for its latest retail project, the Alexandra Retail Centre.
The centre, which will take over the current retail space at the PSA Building, will occupy three floors.
It will be equipped with energy and water saving systems, which could translate into cost savings of S$170,000 annually.
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
By Stella Lee | Posted: 17 January 2011 2027 hrs
SINGAPORE : The Building and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA) has awarded HarbourFront Centre a Green Mark Platinum certificate under the "Existing Buildings" category.
The highest rating for green buildings in Singapore recognises developments which are energy efficient.
Mapletree Investments, which owns HarbourFront Centre, retrofitted the 33-year old building with a more energy efficient central chiller plant in 2009.
Since then, the 13-storey complex - with 120 offices - has improved the efficiency of its air-conditioning system by 50 per cent.
It has helped to save about 1.3 million kilowatt per hour of energy annually.
Together with other energy saving initiatives, Mapletree has been able to reduce its electricity costs at HarbourFront by over 30 per cent.
Mapletree has also attained the Green Mark Gold Award for its latest retail project, the Alexandra Retail Centre.
The centre, which will take over the current retail space at the PSA Building, will occupy three floors.
It will be equipped with energy and water saving systems, which could translate into cost savings of S$170,000 annually.
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
Ying Mansions & Villa D'Este up for sale
Ying Mansions & Villa D'Este up for sale
By Travis Teo | Posted: 17 January 2011 2257 hrs
SINGAPORE : Two properties, Ying Mansions at 25 Robin Road and Villa D'Este on Dalvey Road, are up for sale.
Ying Mansions is an 8-unit development with a gross floor area of 55,000 square feet.
Marketing agent CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) said the property is expected to fetch S$70 million.
The site, with a plot ratio of 2.1, can be build up to 24 storeys. This works out to about S$1,750 per plot ratio.
CBRE said it will attract developers looking for a site within District 10 and near to Orchard Road and the Central Business District.
It added that developers can choose to build 40 exclusive apartments with an average size of 1,200 sq ft each.
CBRE said all 8 units are owned by a single owner and the sale is not subject to Strata Titles Boards approval.
Tender for Ying Mansions closes on February 23.
Meanwhile, Villa D'Este - a 12-unit development with a gross floor area of 49,000 square feet - has been relaunched for public tender.
The property - approved for "Good Class Bungalows" by the URA - has a reserve price of S$110.6 million, which equates to about S$2,253 per plot ratio.
CBRE said a potential developer can choose to build 13 to 14 exclusive apartments with an average size of 3,500 sq ft each.
It added that "there was keen interest from several developers" when the site was first up for tender in August last year. And with the luxury market having improved since last year, interest is expected to be "very strong".
Tender for Villa D'Este closes on February 15.
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
By Travis Teo | Posted: 17 January 2011 2257 hrs
SINGAPORE : Two properties, Ying Mansions at 25 Robin Road and Villa D'Este on Dalvey Road, are up for sale.
Ying Mansions is an 8-unit development with a gross floor area of 55,000 square feet.
Marketing agent CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) said the property is expected to fetch S$70 million.
The site, with a plot ratio of 2.1, can be build up to 24 storeys. This works out to about S$1,750 per plot ratio.
CBRE said it will attract developers looking for a site within District 10 and near to Orchard Road and the Central Business District.
It added that developers can choose to build 40 exclusive apartments with an average size of 1,200 sq ft each.
CBRE said all 8 units are owned by a single owner and the sale is not subject to Strata Titles Boards approval.
Tender for Ying Mansions closes on February 23.
Meanwhile, Villa D'Este - a 12-unit development with a gross floor area of 49,000 square feet - has been relaunched for public tender.
The property - approved for "Good Class Bungalows" by the URA - has a reserve price of S$110.6 million, which equates to about S$2,253 per plot ratio.
CBRE said a potential developer can choose to build 13 to 14 exclusive apartments with an average size of 3,500 sq ft each.
It added that "there was keen interest from several developers" when the site was first up for tender in August last year. And with the luxury market having improved since last year, interest is expected to be "very strong".
Tender for Villa D'Este closes on February 15.
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)