KUALA LUMPUR: Property developer Mah Sing Group Bhd on Tuesday, Jan 25 signed a tenancy agreement with 20 tenants for its Southgate Commercial Centre at Jalan Sungai Besi here.

SHANGHAI: China's Ministry of Finance may announce the start of property tax reforms during the first quarter, the official Shanghai Securities News reported on Tuesday, Jan 25, citing unidentified sources.

Two Chinese cities — Shanghai and western Chongqing — will be included in a pilot scheme, the newspaper said.

SIBU: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has now banned any form of swiftlet farming in residential areas here.

Chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King said on Tuesday, Jan 25 that it was finalising procedures to allow action to be taken against operators who continued to do so.

PHUKET: Phuket tourist arrivals saw a 22% increase to 3.5 million in 2010 compared to the previous year, the highest record ever, according to 2010 Phuket Hotel Market Update, the latest market research report by consultancy firm C9 Hotelworks released on Tuesday, Jan 25.

Start of a landbanking spree?

Expanding presence in Puchong

KUALA LUMPUR: Glomac Bhd is acquiring 200 acres of leasehold land in Bandar Metro Puchong in Puchong, Selangor for RM77 million.

• Maintain OUTPERFORM. Mah Sing is continuing with its aggressive and transformational landbanking exercise that should catapult it into the big league. We believe it is ripe for a major re-rating given its excellent track record in execution and  wildly successful “quick turnaround” model.

Rides on strong retail growth

WASHINGTON: Existing-home sales in the US rose sharply in December when sales increased for the fifth time in the past six months, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).