MELBOURNE/SYDNEY: Australia's Westfield Group said on Tuesday, May 4 it would launch about A$1 billion ($2.98 billion) in development projects this year, including at home and in the US, as market conditions improve.

KUALA LUMPUR: The office rental market in Kuala Lumpur is expected to remain competitive, Cushman & Wakefield said in its 1Q2010 research report, as more landlords are willing to negotiate and offer leasing terms to maintain existing tenants while enticing new ones.

Stiff competition is also expected for the next six months with more buildings completed in 2010, it added.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government has announced the implementation of the National Renewable Energy Policy and Action Plan, which will see the start of the electricity feed-in-tariff (FiT) mechanism by 2011.

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The buzz

SHANGHAI: In the eight years leading up to the World Expo, Shanghai has been a hive of activity, with armies of labourers working flat out to complete a series of massive infrastructure projects.

SYDNEY: Australian house prices surged 20% in the year to March, the fastest pace on record and a powerful argument for the central bank to raise interest rates this week.

KUALA LUMPUR: Industry players are positive about the outlook on Malaysian Real Estate Investment Trusts (MREITs) for the next half of 2010.

In view of improving underlying property market, improving economy and attractive yields, Sherilyn Foong, associate director at New Asia Capital, believes that it is a good time to enter the MREITs market now.