Building Investment (Mar - Apr 2015).pdf
As our magazine grows to become more of a regional publication, we will be bringing you even more news from around the region and beyond. e biggest change in Malaysia was the implementation of Goods and Services Tax on 1 April 2015 which impacted on property prices, raising costs by up to 2.6 per cent. As an oil-exporter, it is likely to see slower growth due to low oil prices and GST dampening private consumption. Singapore will continue to see property prices falling due to government cooling measures while both Indonesia and Philippines are expected to show strong growth even as China slows its pace to 6.7 per cent growth (World Bank). Overall, growth outlook for the region is expected to hover at 6.4 per cent for 2015 (Asian Development Bank). As we approach the second quarter of 2015, we will continue to work even harder to ensure that our magazine reaches a wider audience as we explore the various distribution channels for the electronic version of our magazine – more on these will be announced in later issues. Meanwhile in this issue, we highlight projects like the futuristic development called Harbour City in the historic city of Melaka (front cover feature); Sherwood Kinrara South residential project in Selangor; Epic Suites also in Selangor; and developer SP Setia’s new corporate headquarters in Shah Alam. In our features section, we report on Malaysian Timber Industry Board’s initiative to promote Malaysian-designed furniture; and market reports from some of the expert analysts like WTW and REHDA. Elsewhere in the magazine, we bring you a roundup on market news and updates on products and services while in the Design Feature section, you can read about some of the exciting designs from US and Canada. If you have suggestions to oer or events that you would like us to cover, please feel free to drop us a note.
As our magazine grows to become more of a regional publication, we will be bringing you even more news from around the region and beyond. e biggest change in Malaysia was the implementation of Goods
and Services Tax on 1 April 2015 which impacted on property prices, raising costs by up to 2.6 per cent. As an oil-exporter, it is likely to see slower growth due to low oil prices and GST dampening private consumption.
Singapore will continue to see property prices falling due to government cooling measures while both Indonesia and Philippines are expected to show strong growth even as China slows its pace to 6.7 per cent growth (World
Bank). Overall, growth outlook for the region is expected to hover at 6.4 per cent for 2015 (Asian Development Bank).
As we approach the second quarter of 2015, we will continue to work even harder to ensure that our magazine reaches a wider audience as we explore the various distribution channels for the electronic version of our magazine
– more on these will be announced in later issues.
Meanwhile in this issue, we highlight projects like the futuristic development called Harbour City in the historic city of Melaka (front cover feature); Sherwood Kinrara South residential project in Selangor; Epic Suites also in
Selangor; and developer SP Setia’s new corporate headquarters in Shah Alam.
In our features section, we report on Malaysian Timber Industry Board’s initiative to promote Malaysian-designed furniture; and market reports from some of the expert analysts like WTW and REHDA. Elsewhere in the magazine,
we bring you a roundup on market news and updates on products and services while in the Design Feature section, you can read about some of the exciting designs from US and Canada.
If you have suggestions to oer or events that you would like us to cover, please feel free to drop us a note.
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News & EventsSIRIM QAS and GreenRE form allianceSIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd and GreenRE Sdn Bhd sign MoU to promote sustainabilityin the built environment through passive deisgn.GreenRE Director YBhg Datuk Seri Fateh Iskandar Mohamed Mansor (2 nd from right) exchanging the signed MoU with SIRIM QAS InternationalChairman YBhg Dato’ Dr Zainal Abidin Mohd Yusof (2 nd from left), looking on are SIRIM QAS International MD YBrs Puan Khalidah Hj Mustafa andREHDA’S Past President Datuk Ng Seing Liong.ANY WAY YOU looked at it, more so from the industry’s viewpoint,the partnership was inevitable and just a matter of time before the twoparties got down to formalising an alliance for a cause close to theirhearts, i.e., sustainability in real estate and building construction.To this like purpose, SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’sleading certification, inspection and testing institution, and GreenRESdn Bhd, a non-profit initiative by Real Estate and HousingDevelopers Association (REHDA), recently signed a Memorandumof Understanding (MoU) to promote sustainability in propertydevelopment with the emphasis on passive design. It is an industrialrelationship formed to transform Malaysia’s built environment,new construction and retrofitting of existing structures as well,contributing to a better quality of life for all.Signing on behalf of GreenRE, its Director YBhg Datuk Seri FatehIskandar Mohamed Mansor (also incumbent REHDA President) heldthe view that the GreenRE-SIRIM QAS International partnership “willnot only help SIRIM QAS International to promote its sustainabilityrelatedcertification schemes and related services but is also a furtherrecognition to GreenRE.” In response, YBhg Dato’ Dr Zainal AbidinMohd Yusof, Chairman of SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhdcommended REHDA and GreenRE Sdn Bhd for their “steadfastcommitment” in promoting sustainable and green buildings. In theface of challenges of climate change, greater availability of greenbuilding technology and increasing awareness and demand for greenbuilding in Malaysia, he was “heartened that the GreenRE ratingassessment tool has been well received by the industry.”Collaboration IntentThrough activities such as forums and seminars, awareness talks andexhibitions conducted by GreenRE with the support and participationof SIRIM QAS International, the collaboration is aimed, inter alia,at: (i) setting the standards for best (green) practices in sustainabledesign so as to “shape a sustainable and friendly built environment”;and (ii) promoting SIRIM QAS International sustainability-relatedcertification schemes and services which are voluntary unless mademandatory by GreenRE as prerequisite to Green certification.Tailor-made for the real estate and construction industry toassess building and construction performance throughout thewhole development process (from conceptualisation, design toconstruction, post-completion and operation), GreenRE is analternative sustainable standard to lead the Malaysian market toa higher level of sustainability. Targeted at developers, designersand builders, assessment is based on performance criteria relatingto energy efficiency, water efficiency, environmental protection,innovative green features and carbon emission. For more information, please visit www.sirim.com.my.50 <strong>Building</strong> & <strong>Investment</strong> | www.b-i.biz
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