In Focus

Financeasia.com news website has polled institutional investors and other fund managers on which companies they reckon are the best managed in Singapore.

AXA, one of the world's leading insurance providers which launched the first motor claims iPhone application last year in Singapore, now extends the service on android starting here and in Hong Kong to the rest of Asia. This, as AXA sees explosive growth in the use of technology in the region over the next five years.

The acquisition of 17 new trains is part of the huge capex the transportation services company will undertake next year.

The 17% who view a favorable second quarter is smaller than the net weighted balance of 36% registered in the same period of the previous year.

Customs officials remind Singaporeans and travelers returning from their overseas breaks to declare taxable products such as liquor at the airport or pay a $300 fine for the bottle.

The reduction in roaming rates would slice off Singapore mobile revenue by 1-2% compared to an estimated 0.5%-0.9% for Malaysian telcos, DMG Research said.

Inflation for the first half of 2011 is expected to remain elevated at 4.7 per cent, said DMG.

EXCLUSIVE: The market will more likely to trade range this week as US strong economic performance may not be able to offset lingering concerns over China’s another round of policy tightening, according to experts.

Kim Eng Property analyst Ooi Yi Tung has put out some interesting research on the two mega en-blocs working their way through the Singapore property market right now. At the top of the list is the $1.7b the owners of Pine Grove are asking for, which, if successful, would mean developers may need to market the new peoperties at close to $1,900 psf.

 

"Property Market Information, Singapore" aims to enhance the transparency of the property market, said URA.

This will be in contract sizes of 100 troy ounces for gold, 5,000 troy ounces for silver and 5 metric tons for copper.

The Maritime Singapore Green Initiative seeks to further reduce the environmental impact of shipping and related activities to promote clean and green shipping.

South-East Asia's charter market is estimated to be worth around $10-$15 million at the present juncture, with Singapore accounting for about a third of the market.

According to a survey conducted for Marketing Magazine, "The Singapore Business Review has good standing with advertisers looking to reach corporate IT managers, CFOs and accountants and CEOs and managing directors. It also has influence with advertisers looking to reach middle, high and top income earners."

Commerce and industry also sees strong recruitment activity this year.