KUALA LUMPUR: A key goal of the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) for the next one year is to help local architects be more competitive through training and adoption of the new building information modelling (BIM) software.

KUALA LUMPUR: More than half of Mitraland Group’s latest condominium project Vina Versatile Homes @ Cheras will be green and landscaped spaces.The project, which is expected to be launched on June 8, will be built on a 7.5- acre (3.03ha) freehold residential site in Jalan Seri Taming in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. It has a gross development value (GDV) of about RM300 million.

TAICHUNG: S P Setia Bhd took home its fifth award in seven years in the Fiabci Prix d’Excellence Awards 2013.At a presentation ceremony held in Taichung, Taiwan, on Monday, the developer received the top prize in the Best Master Plan category for its flagship development, Setia Alam, in Shah Alam, Selangor.

RAWANG: Low Yat Group will invest RM100 million in building an interchange linked to the Latar Expressway to improve connectivity to its township, Bandar Tasik Puteri. The expressway connects Kuala Selangor to Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur.

HONG KONG: Rents for street-front shops in prime locations are plunging as tenants and landlords adjust to a fall in mainland visitors that has triggered a slowdown in the growth of retail sales in the city.

KUALA LUMPUR: Country Heights Holdings Bhd recorded a 14-fold jump in its net profit to RM18.9 million for its first quarter ended March 31 from RM1.3 million a year ago. Revenue came in at RM85.8 million.

In a statement to Bursa Malaysia, the group said net profit and revenue increased due mainly to higher income from real estate development.

KUALA LUMPUR: DRB-Hicom Bhd’s net profit came in substantially lower at RM70.6 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31 (4QFY13), down 95% from RM1.3 billion in the previous corresponding quarter.