Inspiring Through Art
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OCTOBER 2015 www.kepcorp.com/ekeppelite Hallmarks of good governance 8 Green champions 10 Championing causes 43 Inspiring through art MCI (P) 133/02/2015 10 43 34 Contents SUSTAINING GROWTH Sharing safety best practices 28 Steady returns 4 On stream and online Sharpening focus 5 Strong partnerships 29 Higher distributable income for Keppel DC REIT Asia’s first ‘Fish Friendly Marina’ 30 Stable performance 6 EMPOWERING LIVES Trusted partner 7 Educational engagement 31 Hallmarks of good governance 8 Sharing of Tianjin experience 32 Tip top job 9 Public-spirited star 33 Striking start The final stretch 34 Green champions 10 Keppelites Around the World Global citizen 36 ‘Thinking Unboxed’ 13 NURTURING COMMUNITIES Best freight forwarder 14 Going green 37 Peak performance Viva Mexico! Smooth execution 15 Supporting education 38 On the ground 16 Vibrant Eco-City life Winning innovations Lauded for giving 39 Seizing opportunities in Latin America 17 Going the extra mile Strategic insights Gift of knowledge 40 An evening of dance 41 Strengthening Tianjin ties 18 Partnerships for positive impact Mitigating risks 20 Bonding across borders 42 SPECIAL FOCUS Touching lives through art education 22 Keppel Volunteers Championing causes 43 Spurring Innovations Creative evolution 26 BACK PAGE Opening the doors to a new Inya Wing 44 Bridging insights 27 Cover image: From left, standing: CEO of Keppel Corporation Mr Loh Chin Hua, CEO of National Gallery Singapore Ms Chong Siak Ching and Chairman of Keppel Corporation Dr Lee Boon Yang look on as students of Park View Primary School enjoy creating unique artworks of their own during a preview of the Keppel Centre for Art Education on 1 October 2015. Published for people in the Keppel Group by the Group Corporate Communications Division, Keppel Corporation Limited, 1 HarbourFront Ave, #18-01 Keppel Bay Tower, Singapore 098632. Printed by Image Printers Pte Ltd, Blk 1002, Redhill Industrial Estate, Jalan Bukit Merah, #03-12, Singapore 159456. Editorial Advisor Ho Tong Yen Editor Elizabeth Widjaja Editorial Committee Ang Lai Lee, Brian Higgs, Candice Low, Carol Huang, Cheryl Goh, Chew Chong Peng, Chua Sian Howe, Donald Sng, Eileen Tan, Frances Teh, Gabriela Hott Soares, Grace Chia, Hayley Teo, Hoo Yao Lin, Ivana Chua, Kevin Ho, Jayne Yeo, Lee Wan Jun, Marianne Goh, Mia Liu, Priscilla Chong, Razali Maulod, Ricky Ling, Roy Tan, Say Huan Yuan, Serena Toh, Song Jia Jia, Sue Ann Huang, Tang Yi Bing, Teri Liew, Tracy Pham, Woon Pek Yong, Yolanda Guo Keppelite I October 2015 CO REG NO: 196800351N Editorial Shaping a vibrant future through the arts A flying bus and fish on stilts greet visitors at the Keppel has also focused on developing audiences Keppel Centre for Art Education. With its whimsical for the arts. Keppel Nights, a programme in installations and interactive programmes, the Centre partnership with Esplanade – Theatres On the Bay, is an integral part of the National Gallery Singapore, gives students from heartland schools access to Singapore’s newest visual arts institution. Serving as world-class performances, inspiring them to dream a natural complement to the museum’s art galleries, big (see story on page 41). the Centre is the region’s first art education facility designed to expose young visitors to the arts (see Conceived with interactivity at the forefront, story on pages 22 to 25). the Keppel Centre for Art Education will evolve through constant engagement with its young Artist Sandra Lee drew inspiration from the visitors. The Centre’s Project Gallery is designed Gallery’s unrivalled collection of Southeast Asian to be filled with works by visitors reflecting on the artworks in creating the fantastical forest of the Art theme of ‘Homes of the Future’. Playscape, one of the four spaces of the Centre. Two other spaces, the Project Gallery and Children’s Many more discoveries will take place once the Museum, reinforce the Centre’s role as a conduit Centre opens its doors with the rest of the Gallery for art appreciation and learning by allowing young on 24 November 2015. In line with its aim to visitors to step into the shoes of an artist or curator, be a Gallery for the people, Singaporeans and and create or curate their own art pieces. permanent residents will enjoy free entry. The link between art and education may not Trained under the ‘Best Friends of the Gallery’ always be obvious, but there is increasing programme, many Keppel Volunteers helped to awareness of the importance of art education in facilitate activities for students invited to trial the developing a vibrant society and culture. Through Centre in October. The volunteers will continue art appreciation, individuals learn to sharpen their to support the Centre after it opens to the public. critical perception, heighten their social awareness Their participation demonstrates Keppel’s belief in and expand their capacity for self-expression. Art going beyond monetary contributions to engage allows children to explore and discover their world people in its community efforts. – be it through sensing the texture of modelling clay on their fingers, or revelling at the mystery of As the Centre develops in fascinating ways to meet paint colours blending. the needs of its young visitors, so too will Keppel continue to grow with the communities in which Keppel has been a long-standing supporter of the we operate. Through our support of the arts and arts. Through the years, we have grown with the arts other community initiatives, we will shape a vibrant organisations that we supported in their pioneering future for all. days, including Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Dance Theatre and Singapore Lyric Opera. Overseas, in countries like Brazil, support for the arts is an important component of our efforts to nurture communities wherever we operate. Keppelite I October 2015 4 Sustaining Growth Growth Steady returns Keppel REIT Management, SUMMARY OF RESULTS the Manager of Keppel REIT, $’000 3Q 2015 3Q 2014 YTD SEP 20152 YTD SEP 20142 reported a higher distributable income of Property Income 42,183 42,964 127,552 141,756 $54.4 million for 3Q 2015 Net Property Income 33,396 34,711 102,694 117,183 and $163.2 million for Share of results of associates 18,513 19,953 58,833 44,630 the year-to-date 2015, registering a 4.6% and Share of results of joint ventures 3,907 4,056 12,006 5,720 1.8% increase from their Income available for distribution 54,408 54,820 163,237 160,294 corresponding periods in Distribution to Unitholders(1) 54,408 54,820 163,237 160,294 2014 respectively. Quarter- DPU (cents) for the period 1.70 1.72 5.12 5.72 on-quarter, the Manager 3 4 also achieved sustained Annualised distribution yield 7.2% 6.4% levels of distributable (1) Distribution to Unitholders is based on 100% of the taxable income available for distribution. income. (2) Information for YTD Sep 2014 includes the contribution from Prudential Tower, which was divested on 26 September 2014. In 4Q 2014, Keppel REIT acquired a one-third stake in Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3. As such, the financial information for 2Q 2015 has also been provided to give a more meaningful comparison of Keppel REIT’s performance quarter-on-quarter since the portfolio of properties are the The improved distributable same over the two periods. (3) The yield is based on the market closing price per unit of $0.955 as at the last trading day, 30 September 2015. income was due largely to (4) The yield is based on the market closing price per unit of $1.190 as at the last trading day, 30 September 2014. better performance from Ocean Financial Centre, Bugis Junction Towers and In keeping with ongoing committed in 3Q 2015. This leases signed, renewed and 8 Chifley Square in Sydney. efforts to reduce volatility and brought overall portfolio reviewed to-date. provide greater certainty over occupancy to 98.5% as at The Manager has declared a future income distributions, 3Q 2015. The Manager also continues Distribution per Unit (DPU) of the Manager has also hedged to maintain a healthy 1.70 cents for 3Q 2015, almost 100% of distribution The Manager continued its weighted average lease expiry which translates to an payment from Australia up lease management efforts of approximately 8.5 years annualised distribution till 1Q 2016. to retain and secure tenants. and 6 years for its top 10 yield of 7.2%. These efforts saw a high tenants and overall portfolio Keppel REIT’s weighted tenant retention rate of 90% respectively. During the quarter, the average term to maturity for its Singapore assets in Manager increased its fixed- remained stable at 3.6 years. 3Q 2015. The Manager has Looking ahead, market rate loans to over 70%, The Manager continued to also completed 100% of conditions are expected which will insulate against maintain low refinancing all leases due for review to be challenging due to interest rate fluctuations obligations as at end- and almost all leases due the upcoming office supply and at the same time allow September 2015, with close for renewal in 2015. With over the next two years and for operational and financial to 100% of Keppel REIT’s this, approximately 70% possible rising interest rate flexibilities. total borrowings not due for of total leases are not environment. The Manager repayment till 2017. due for renewal till 2018 will intensify its tenant The Manager’s disciplined and beyond. retention and engagement capital management To-date, the Manager efforts to support occupancy approach saw Keppel REIT’s has concluded a total of Despite the challenging and rental rates, while average cost of debt remain 82 leases or approximately leasing market sentiments, maintaining a well-staggered constant at 2.5%, with 1.1 million sf of office space, the Manager has achieved lease expiry profile for interest coverage ratio at a with approximately 43% a positive rent reversion sustainable and resilient healthy 4.4 times.