BEFORE commercial airlines, trains were the preferred mode of transport for long-distance travel. Over the years, man's endless pursuit of speed has seen the advancement of railway technology, enabling us to travel faster across great distances.Today, high-speed trains zoom across cities and countries at breakneck speeds of more than 300kph.

THE proposed KL-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) will create new business and employment opportunities across various industries before, during and after the project is completed."Financial institutions are very positive on the potential of the HSR and are confident it will attract foreign investors," said Nor Azam M Taib, senior vice-president of corporate business at Malaysia Building Society

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.