KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's household debt, which stood at RM577 billion in November last year, is still on prudent level, says Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

She said household debts accounted for about 50% of total loans and 74% of gross domestic product (GDP).

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah receives an allocation of RM10.7 billion to implement 424 new projects and complete 761 existing ones within the first two years (2011-2012) of the 10th Malaysia Plan.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the allocation received by Sabah was the second largest after that of the Federal Territories.

KUALA LUMPUR: Main Market-listed Kuantan-based property developer Pasdec Holdings Bhd plans to launch at least RM252 million worth of properties in Pahang this year.These include integrated developments Pasdec Persona, Pasdec Perdana and Pasdec Idaman as well as upscale mixed commercial developments Pasdec Makhota and Pasdec Avenue, its chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Khairuddin Abdul Manan

LONDON: The Central London property market is expected to retain its appeal in 2011 for investors seeking safe and transparent markets in the face of economic and financial volatility, said Bill Siegle, senior partner of London-based real estate consultancy Cluttons LLP.

Buoyant outlook

Beauvais (right) with Chaudhary (photo: The Edge)

KUALA LUMPUR: Bina Puri Holdings Bhd — through its associate Bina Puri (Thailand) Ltd (BPTL) — has clinched a RM62.8 million project for the construction and architectural works for Phase 1 of Phahonyothin Park condominium in Bangkok, Thailand, according to a statement released by the company on Tuesday, Jan 18.

HONG KONG: The consensus that Hong Kong office rentals will grow strongly this year has been challenged by serviced-office provider Compass Offices, which says grade-A office rents in Central may fall by as much as 35% over the course of the year.

Andrew Chung, founder of Compass, said the decline in rentals would be driven by major new supply coming onto the market.

HONG KONG: "Covered Car Park, Caine Road, Mid-Levels West, Investment or self use — HK$530,000 (RM207,980.64)."

Listed on the Internet on Jan 1, this advertisement has so far had 48 "hits" as a growing number of investors explore alternatives to conventional investment targets.

HONG KONG: Property sales and prices rebounded strongly last week, indicating the market had overcome its initial jitters over the likely severity of the government's cooling measures introduced in November to curb price growth, said analysts.