Weekly News Select Mar 26, 2021 / Issue 12

Top News for the Week • Midtown Modern sees 61% of units sold over launch weekend • All 20 units of luxury development sold • Upcoming launches in 2Q2021 • Punggol and Sengkang home to the most HDB resale transactions in 2021 to-date • Telecommute default winds down, flexible hybrid approach stays • Singapore, KL to work towards recognition of vaccine certificates • Travel bubbles with other countries hinge on overall Covid-19 situation, not just vaccination: Gan Kim Yong • Headline inflation forecast could be raised in April, monetary policy to stay • Mice industry to see boost from higher capacity cap of 750

Residential Midtown Modern sees 61% of units sold over launch weekend The sales launch of Midtown Modern, GuocoLand’s 558-unit condominium, saw 340 units sold between March 19 to 21. This is 61% of the total number of units in the 99-year leasehold condo on Tan Quee Lan Street in District 7. Over the launch weekend, close to 90% of all the one- and two-bedroom units, and close to half of all the three-bedroom units were sold. Additionally, the developer also sold eight 4-bedroom units and the larger of the two penthouses in the development. According to GuocoLand, the average price achieved was about $2,800 psf. Prices start from $1.17 million for a one-bedder to $5.63 million for a four-bedroom unit. The 3,520 sq ft five-bedroom penthouse sold for $14.83 million ($4,213 psf). The buyers were a mix of owner occupiers and investors, with Singapore citizens making up 85% of the total, and foreigners the remaining 15%. The owner occupiers were mainly singles, couples or those with smaller households, according to GuocoLand in a release. “With more than 300 units sold on March 20, this is the best first-day sales for a CCR [Core Central Region] project since the circuit breaker,” says Lee Sze Teck, director of research at Huttons Asia, one of the joint marketing agencies for the project. “Buyers were attracted to the central location, excellent connectivity, lush landscaping and integrated development,” adds Lee. Mark Yip, CEO of Huttons Asia, expects the upcoming launches to “ride on the positive sales momentum” seen at Midtown Modern, such as Irwell Hill Residences, One Bernam and One-north Eden. “They each have their unique selling points catering to different target groups,” says Yip. For example, One Bernam, located within the CBD, will be attractive to investors, while Irwell Hill Residences is a luxury project within prime district 9 – the first new launch in District 9 in 15 months, and One-north Eden will be able to tap on “pent-up demand” in the one-north area, where there hasn’t been a new launch in 14 years, he adds.

Links to the story: https://www.edgeprop.sg/property-news/midtown-modern-sees-61-units-sold-over-launch-weekend https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/midtown-modern-condo-sells-90-of-one-two-bedroom-units-at-launch

All 20 units of luxury development sold Swire Properties of Hong Kong announced that it has sold all 20 units at its completed freehold luxury apartment development, Eden, at 2 Draycott Park for S$293 million. The price works out to S$4,827 per sq ft. All 20 apartments in the project are four-bedroom units of over 3,000 sq ft each. Every unit occupies an entire floor. The sale will be completed by May 26, 2021, subject to the fulfilment of the purchase agreement, Swire said. Sandra Yiap of Huttons, in association with Savills, is understood have been involved with the deal. Huttons declined to comment when contacted by BT.

Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/all-20-units-of-luxury-development-sold https://www.edgeprop.sg/property-news/bulk-purchase-eden-rumoured-be-300-mil

Upcoming launches in 2Q2021 The preview of Irwell Hill Residences will be followed by that of Grange 1866, a boutique 60-unit condominium (redevelopment of iliv@Grange) the next weekend. Prices are expected to start from $2,700 psf. Mark Yip, CEO of Huttons Asia, expects Irwell Hill Residences and other upcoming launches to “ride on the positive sales momentum” seen at Midtown Modern. Irwell Hill Residences is the first new launch in prime District 9 in 15 months, he notes. Others include the 351-unit One Bernam and the 165-unit One-north Eden. “They each have their unique selling points catering to different target groups,” says Yip. For example, One Bernam, located in the Tanjong Pagar district within the CBD, will be attractive to investors, while One- north Eden will be able to tap the “pent-up demand” in the one-north area, where there has not been a new launch in 14 years, he adds. Another upcoming launch is the 413-unit executive condo (EC), Provence Residences at Canberra Link. Other projects in the Core Central Region (CCR) that are expected to come onstream over the next three months include the 90-unit Peak Residence on Thomson Road, the 230-unit Perfect Ten at Bukit Timah and the 138-unit Klimt Cairnhill, says Lee Sze Teck, director of research, Huttons Asia. “The market has been on a roll after the circuit breaker with many new launches doing very well on the first day of sales,” adds Lee. “With Midtown Modern achieving superb first day sales, it has certainly boosted the confidence in the market especially when a number of new launches in the pipeline are in the CCR.”

Link to the story: https://www.edgeprop.sg/property-news/upcoming-launches-2q2021

Punggol and Sengkang home to the most HDB resale transactions in 2021 to-date HDB resale flats in mature estates that are near top primary schools and shopping malls have been traditionally more popular. However, newer flats in non-mature estates like Sengkang and Punggol are also gaining popularity. Sengkang and Punggol are two of the most popular estates based on the number of HDB resale flats sold in January and February this year, according to data from data.gov.sg. In the two months, 447 flats were transacted in Sengkang while 446 flats were transacted in Punggol. They are followed by Tampines and Bedok, which saw 343 and 268 flats, respectively, changing hands in the two months. Punggol and Sengkang also saw the largest increase in resale transactions in 2020 as compared to 2011, according to research done by Huttons Asia. Punggol experienced a 181.5% increase, while Sengkang achieved a 60.5% increase. They were followed by Bukit Panjang, which saw 34.5% more flats being transacted in 2020 compared to nine years ago, and Clementi, which saw a 20.1% increase. Mark Yip, CEO of Huttons Asia, says: “One reason for the increase in transactions in places like Punggol, Sengkang and Bukit Panjang, is that there are many BTO (Build-To-Order) projects in these towns and many of them have recently achieved the five-year minimum occupation period.” He adds: “Newer flats are popular and fetch higher prices because they are deemed to be as good as new.” In 2020, the top five towns where flats between five and nine years were sold were Sengkang (777 flats), Yishun (562 flats), Punggol (550 flats), Bukit Panjang (495 flats) and Tampines (276 flats), while in the first two months of 2021, the top five towns where flats between five and nine years were sold were Punggol (338 flats), Sengkang (211 flats), Bukit Panjang (91 flats), Yishun (82 flats) and Queenstown (60 flats). “For the larger flats like five-room flats, the HDB has either reduced the supply or stopped building them. As such, buyers who prefer larger flats have turned to the resale market,” says Huttons’ Yip. He believes that the transactions of such flats grew around 10% y-o-y in 2020, presumably due to the need for more space as work-from-home (WFH) arrangements gathered pace and more empty- nesters moved to a smaller dwelling unit. As for million-dollar HDB flats, Yip believes that they command such prices because of their location, size and design. “Million-dollar HDB flat transactions are a minority, making up less than 1% of total transactions in a year. Some of these are in the city like The Pinnacle at Duxton, larger flats like five-room or EM (executive maisonette) and DBSS (Design, Build and Sell Scheme) flats or terraces,” he adds. Lee Sze Teck, director of research at Huttons Asia, says: “Based on data from the authorities, an estimated 21,520 three-room and larger flats will reach their MOP in 2021. Many of these flats are in Choa Chu Kang, Punggol, Yishun, Sengkang and Kallang/Whampoa.” He predicts transaction volume to be between 23,000 and 24,000 flats in 2021.

Link to the story: https://www.edgeprop.sg/property-news/punggol-and-sengkang-home-most-hdb-resale-transactions-2021-date

Commercial Three strata commercial units in CBD up for sale via expression of interest Three strata-titled commercial units in GB Building are up for sale via expression of interest. The building is located at 143 Cecil Street in the central business district (CBD). The units, which have a total strata area of 31,086 sq ft, can be purchased individually or as a portfolio. It declined to name the seller and the price of the portfolio. The portfolio includes a retail podium spanning the first and second levels of the building, as well as full-floor office units on the third and eighth floors, with strata areas ranging from 5,425 sq ft to 13,067 sq ft. The expression of interest exercise will close at 3pm on April 28.

Link to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/three-strata-commercial-units-in-cbd-up-for-sale-via-expression-of- interest

JustCo to manage Metro space in Tampines from Q3 Workspace experience provider JustCo is set to manage a Metro Holdings space in Asia Green in Tampines from the third quarter of this year. In line with its asset-light strategy, JustCo signed a landmark agreement with T-Grand Property Holding, which owns and operates the property, leaving JustCo as manager of the space. Asia Green, which occupies about 30,000 square feet, is designed to optimise the sharing of spaces, assets and amenities by its occupiers, who will become part of the more than 100,000 members in JustCo's community, and so gain access to more collaboration and networking platforms.

Link to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/justco-to-manage-metro-space-in-tampines-from-q3

Retail Easing of WFH rules leaves CBD retailers hopeful, but uncertain Retailers in Singapore's Central Business District (CBD) welcomed the easing of work-from-home (WFH) restrictions. But some are wondering if the pandemic has permanently changed working behaviours - such that workers will stay home regardless. Meanwhile, safe-distancing measures continue to bind F&B (food and beverage) outlets' revenues. F&B owners BT spoke to said revenues are still down by between 40 and 60 per cent.

Link to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/easing-of-wfh-rules-leaves-cbd-retailers-hopeful-but- uncertain

Frasers Centrepoint Trust to divest YewTee Point for $220m Frasers Centrepoint Trust (FCT) will divest YewTee Point for $220 million, having entered into a sale-and-purchase agreement with an unrelated third party. Its manager, Frasers Centrepoint Asset Management (FCAM), said in a regulatory filing that the transaction is expected to be completed on May 28.

Link to the story: https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/frasers-centrepoint-trust-to-divest-yewtee-point-for- 220m

Seven strata retail units in Orchard Rd up for sale A portfolio of seven strata retail units located in various Orchard Road malls is up for sale via public tender with a guide price of S$18.8 million. The pricing for the seven individual units - one in Far East Plaza, two in Lucky Plaza, one in Midpoint Orchard and three in Orchard Plaza - ranges from S$1.48 million to S$6.28 million. The units can be sold individually or collectively as a portfolio. The Far East Plaza second-floor freehold unit, which is occupied by a gift and leisure shop, has a strata area of 409 square feet (sq ft). In Lucky Plaza, the two adjoining freehold units with a strata area of 205 sq ft and 237 sq ft are located in the basement. The freehold Midpoint Orchard ground floor unit spans 710 sq ft and is leased to a moneylender. The public tender exercise for the properties will close at 3pm on May 5.

Link to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/seven-strata-retail-units-in-orchard-rd-up-for-sale

Government Telecommute default winds down, flexible hybrid approach stays Singapore is ending its policy of a work-from-home default, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said, while signalling a move to a "more flexible and hybrid" approach. "Employers are encouraged to continue with work-from-home arrangements, but more employees will be allowed to return to the workplace to better support work and business operations," it announced. Up to 75 per cent of staff who are able to work from home will be allowed to pop into the office at any one time from April 5 - compared with a cap of 50 per cent now. Meanwhile, there will no longer be limits on how much time each worker can spend at the workplace. Previously, those who could carry out their tasks from home had to telecommute for at least half their working time. And split-team arrangements are no longer a must, although cross deployment of employees is still not allowed unless it is critical to business operations. Employers still have to stagger start times and keep flexible working hours where possible.

Social gatherings at work, such as team bonding, can resume with as many as eight attendees. But "companies should avoid holding events over meal times as far as possible", said MOH, citing the higher risk of transmission with unmasked diners. The ministry also warned that enforcement action, including possible workplace closures, will be taken against employers who do not comply with safe-management measures.

Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/telecommute-default-winds-down-flexible-hybrid- approach-stays https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/experts-urge-caution-even-as-more-in-singapore-can-return-to-workplace

Singapore, KL to work towards recognition of vaccine certificates Observers say daily travel between Singapore and Malaysia is unlikely to happen this year, even after both countries announced that they will work towards recognising each other's vaccine certificates to facilitate cross-border travel "in the future". At their meeting in Putrajaya, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and his Malaysian counterpart Hishammuddin Hussein also reaffirmed the commitment to vaccinate long- term residents in both countries, including Malaysians residing in Singapore and Singaporeans staying in Malaysia. They also agreed to progressively restore cross-border travel for other groups of travellers in addition to the Reciprocal Green Lane and the PCA, subject to the Covid-19 situation in both countries. The operational details of mutual vaccine certificate recognition will be further discussed and finalised by both parties, including the requirements, health protocols and application process. One opportunity for this could be the next Leaders' Retreat between the two countries, which will take place in Singapore this year.

Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/singapore-kl-to-work-towards-recognition-of-vaccine- certificates https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/singapore-malaysia-agree-to-work-towards-mutual-recognition-of- vaccine-certificates

Travel bubbles with other countries hinge on overall Covid-19 situation, not just vaccination: Gan Kim Yong Singapore is actively discussing mutual travel arrangements with other countries, and such arrangements are likely to vary between different countries, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong has said. These agreements may not hinge solely on vaccination, as it depends on what the overall situation is like in each country, said Mr Gan, who co-chairs the multi-ministry task force tackling the Covid-19 pandemic with Education Minister Lawrence Wong. During a virtual press conference on March 24, Mr Gan said such negotiations are currently taking place on a bilateral basis and that Singapore cannot currently have a standard framework for all countries.

Link to the story: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/travel-bubbles-will-depend-on-overall-situation-not-just-vaccination

Greater focus on innovation crucial for Singapore's future, says DPM Singapore will put an even greater focus on innovation and partnership in the next phase of development, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat at the grand finals of the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition. Titled "BLAZE", this year's competition called for sustainable urban innovations and solutions, following the theme "Reimagine Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Cities". It drew a record 850 entries from 650 universities in more than 60 countries. This year's competition marked the launch of "Changemakers Conversations", virtual panel discussions centred around themes such as "Growth in Asia", and "VC Office Hours", which organised one-to-one consultations with senior venture capitalists for startups.

Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/greater-focus-on-innovation-crucial-for-singapores-future- says-dpm https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/from-robots-to-pollinating-drones-start-ups-create-ways-to-help- cities-go-greener

Employers to get over S$3b in wage subsidies payouts from end-March From March 30, more than 150,000 employers will receive payouts of over S$3 billion under the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) of wage subsidies. The payment will benefit over two million local employees. Employers who have made mandatory Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions for their local employees for the months of September to December 2020 by the stipulated deadlines will qualify to receive the payout, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) in a joint statement. With this payout, over S$24.5 billion in JSS support would have been disbursed since the introduction of the scheme at the Unity Budget in February 2020.

Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/singapore-budget-2021/employers-to-get-over-s3b-in- wage-subsidies-payouts-from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/over-150000-employers-to-get-more-than-3b-in-jobs-support- scheme-payouts-from-end

Economy Headline inflation forecast could be raised in April, monetary policy to stay Singapore’s core inflation returned to positive territory for the first time after over a year, as prices of services and food rose in February, said the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) in a statement.

Core consumer price index (CPI), which excludes accommodation and private transport, rose 0.2 per cent year on year in February, up from the -0.2 per cent registered in January. This is the highest core CPI reading, a key indicator that the central bank uses to guide monetary policy, since January 2020. Headline inflation, which includes all items, went up to 0.7 per cent, up from 0.2 per cent in January. This was driven by higher private transport inflation, in addition to the rise in core inflation, MAS and MTI said.

Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/headline-inflation-forecast-could-be-raised-in-april- monetary-policy-to-stay https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/inflation-in-singapore-turns-positive-for-first-time-in-a-year-on- higher-food

CIMB Singapore lays off staff after restructuring; Orchard branch to close CIMB Singapore will be laying off staff and shutting its branch in Orchard Road as part of a restructuring exercise following a review of its business, according to an internal memo seen by The Business Times. This comes as the bank revises its strategy to emphasise on sustainable growth, in line with the group's vision to be a "leading focused Asean bank", wrote CIMB Singapore's chief executive officer Victor Lee in the memo sent on the morning of March 23. When queried by BT, the bank declined to comment on the number of staff affected and which departments they come from. The spokesperson said that it is "working with internal and external support groups to assist affected staff during the transition".

Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/banking-finance/cimb-singapore-lays-off-staff-after-restructuring-orchard- branch-to-close https://www.straitstimes.com/business/banking/cimb-singapore-laying-off-staff-closing-orchard-branch-as-part-of- restructuring

Hospitality Mice industry to see boost from higher capacity cap of 750 The relaxation of measures for events, particularly commercial ones, will see a boost to local demand, even as some industry operators await more clarity on whether travel processes will be adjusted to allow for more foreign attendees. The uplift for event venues in Singapore may be uneven, however, with larger venues that are able to accommodate large crowds, safe distancing and pre-event testing for the Covid-19 virus, such as convention centres, likely to gain more, industry players said. From April 24, as many as 750 people, up from 250, will be allowed at business events, sporting events and live performances, but only if the organisers implement pre-event testing. And, they will still have to place attendees in zones of up to 50 people each. This was announced following

the further easing of safe management measures by the multi-ministry taskforce on Covid-19 amid an expansion of Singapore's vaccination programme. Also, individuals who have completed the full vaccination regimen and have had time to develop sufficient protection - for instance, two weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna Covid-19 vaccination - will be able to enter events that implement pre-event testing without undergoing the testing.

Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/mice-industry-to-see-boost-from-higher-capacity-cap-of- 750 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/more-allowed-to-attend-weddings-live-performances-and-pilot- events-with-pre-event https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/up-to-750-spectators-allowed-for-pilot-sports-events-from-april-24

Shophouse Shophouses in Bugis and Maxwell put on the market Shophouses in Bugis, including one located at 5 Tan Quee Lan Street and a pair at 56 Haji Lane- 87 Arab Street, have been put up for sale by tender. Another central business district conservation shophouse - at 55 Neil Road and across from the upcoming Maxwell MRT station - has also been put up for sale via an expression of interest (EOI). The three properties in Bugis are minutes away from Bugis MRT interchange; the Tan Quee Lan Street shophouse is within walking distance of the Esplanade and Promenade MRT stations as well. The 999-year tenure shophouse has a land size of 1,102 square feet (sq ft) and a gross plot ratio of 4.2. The pair of freehold shophouses at 56 Haji Lane-87 Arab Street are zoned for commercial use. They have a land size of 1,078 sq ft and total floor area of approximately 2,200 sq ft. With a price of S$3,750 psf, the pair of shophouses start at S$8.25 million, based on its approximate built-up area. The sale by tender for the shophouses at 5 Tan Quee Lan Street and 56 Haji Lane-87 Arab Street will close at 3pm on June 1. The 99-year leasehold shophouse over at Neil Road has a land area of approximately 1,401 sq ft and a built-up area of 2,530 sq ft. Offers are expected to be between S$6.07 million and S$6.33 million, which translate to about S$2,400 or S$2,500 per sq ft. The EOI exercise for 55 Neil Road will close at 3pm on April 28.

Link to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/shophouses-in-bugis-and-maxwell-put-on-the-market

Industrial Debt-hit Lim family's Universal Terminal now with Jurong Port Singapore port operator Jurong Port has completed its acquisition of Universal Terminal, a commercial storage facility on Jurong Island and a prized asset of the Lim family of failed Hin Leong Group, making it the largest independent oil storage operator in Singapore. A spokesperson from Jurong Port confirmed to The Business Times that the acquisition of a 41 per cent stake in the giant oil terminal was done but declined to comment on the price tag. BT understands that the stake was valued at between S$400 million and S$500 million.

Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/debt-hit-lim-familys-universal-terminal-now-with-jurong- port https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/lim-familys-universal-terminal-stake-jurong-port-seals- acquisition

TES opens S$30m facility to recycle lithium batteries E-waste recycling giant TES is looking to introduce energy storage system (ESS) offerings and scalable turnkey solutions in the secondary market, said the company at the opening of its S$30 million facility to recycle lithium batteries. It is currently working with strategic partners such as GenPlus to extend the life of and repurpose retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries for various commercial and residential energy needs in the secondary market, said TES. TES B is the first of its kind in South-east Asia and has the daily capacity to recycle up to 14,000 tonnes or the equivalent of 280,000 lithium-ion smartphone batteries.

Links to the story: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/tes-opens-s30m-facility-to-recycle-lithium-batteries https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/new-battery-recycling-facility-a-first-in-singapore-and-south- east-asia

Contact: Lee Sze Teck Head, Research (65) 6500 6510 [email protected]

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