KUALA LUMPUR: A Ministry of Finance Inc company, MRT Co, approved by the Cabinet yesterday, will assume project and asset ownership of the Klang Valley MY Rapid Transit (KVMRT) project from Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd effective Sept 1.

BEIJING: China's annual housing inflation quickened in July for the second straight month this year, official data showed on Thursday, Aug 18, keeping up pressure on Beijing to rein in the red-hot property sector.

Many economists have warned that a bursting of a property bubble is the biggest risk facing the world's second-largest economy in the medium to long term.

KUALA LUMPUR/MELBOURNE: Trenerry Property Group's waterfront residential development called Trennery Abbotford in Melbourne is set to launch this weekend in Kuala Lumpur, ahead of its launch in Australia and its first launch in Asia.

KUALA LUMPUR: Hua Yang Bhd has acquired two prime parcels of land in Johor Bahru (JB) through its wholly-owned subsidiary company Grandeur Park Sdn Bhd for RM10.7 million.

HONG KONG: Asia is well placed to weather current short-term volatility, according to CB Richard Ellis Group Inc (CBRE) in their global ViewPoint report recently.

CBRE has analysed the implications for commercial real estate from the recent volatility in the global equity and capital markets, Standard & Poor's downgrade of the US credit rating and weak economic growth.

SEOUL: Several South Korean banks have temporarily halted fresh household lending or tightened loan screening in what they say is a response to a request from the government, which is worried about debt levels building up in Asia's fourth largest economy.

HONG KONG: CB Richard Ellis (CBRE), the world's largest commercial real estate services firm, has elected Dr Mark Smith as managing director for client development for global corporate services.

Based in Hong Kong, Smith will be responsible for client development of global corporate services business across Asia.

KUALA LUMPUR: 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) has roped in several local and international consultant companies to help in its plan to develop its Kuala Lumpur International Financial District (KLIFD) project.

KUALA LUMPUR: Timber and property development company Eksons Corp Bhd has acquired 37 pieces of land totalling approximately 30ha for RM22.3 million, boosting its landbank for future development.

HONG KONG: If you see groups of Taiwanese yuppies hanging around Hong Kong's major shopping and entertainment districts, don't be surprised.