PETALING JAYA: The Edge Top Property Developers Awards 2009 has ranked Sime Darby Property Bhd (SDP) the No 1 property developer in the country. The overall second spot went to S P Setia Bhd, which was in the number one position the last four years.

KUALA LUMPUR: Approval for projects managed by the Public Works Department (PWD) will be shortened to 14 days instead of the three to five months it took previously.

Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said yesterday the decision to shorten the period was made at the meeting of the National Council for Local Authorities on Sept 17 and took effect immediately.

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will review current guidelines for building demolition works, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said last night.

Kong said recent incidents of buildings collapsing during demolition works were of great concern to the government and should be a wake-up call for the building industry.

DUBAI: With small and medium enterprises (SMEs) accounting for approximately 80% of the United Arab Emirates’ economic activity, SMEs could drive demand for both office space and affordable residential property in the country provided they are able to secure bank loans to finance their business and provide working capital and investment for growth, said an industry expert in a press release fro

KUALA LUMPUR: The country’s leading property players gathered here on Oct 8 to give recognition to the winners of The Edge Malaysia’s 7th Top Property Developers Award.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) and Singapore Contractors Association Ltd (SCAL) are jointly participating in the Construction Business Mission to Bangkok, Thailand, from Oct 8 to 10.

DUBAI: Since opening its doors in November 2008, The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, has attracted 30 million visitors, Emaar Properties said in a press release dated Oct 5. The Dubai-based Emaar Properties PJSC is one of the world's largest real estate companies.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) Malaysia wants the stamp duty rates for property transfers to be reduced in Budget 2010.

Rehda Malaysia president, Datuk Ng Seing Liong said the association is also asking the government to increase the value range of the properties to be transferred.

LOS ANGELES: US home sellers cut their asking prices by a total of US$28.4 billion (RM96 billion) to attract buyers as the real estate recovery stalled, Trulia Inc said.

WASHINGTON: US lawmakers were urged on Oct 7 to extend the US$8,000 (RM27,000) first-time homebuyers credit past its Nov 30 expiration date, even as sales of new homes grew in August to the highest rate in almost a year.

Witnesses at a House Small Business Committee hearing called upon the US Congress to expand the credit to all homebuyers, not just newcomers to the market.