The economic climate in 2010 was considerably more positive than the previous year, as economies began to recover from the global financial crisis. The focus has now shifted to 2011 and what it augurs for real estate investors. A poll conducted among property consultants from around the world has revealed some promising destinations for property investments in the new year.

Malls have moved beyond being mere places to shop, and going to the mall has become a family recreational pastime. Malls have become a feast for the senses. They wow us with their unique architecture such as the Kanyon in Turkey, designed by The Jerde Partnership, which has undulating forms emulating an actual canyon, and thrill us with the astounding array of facilities they offer.

CYBERJAYA: Shaftsbury Capital Sdn Bhd has recently launched an office tower at its Shaftsbury Square mixed commercial development in Cyberjaya.

The 21-storey office tower is part of the second phase of the development which also comprises a 24-storey block of sohos and serviced apartments.

WASHINGTON: Existing-home sales in the US are back on an upward path in November, resuming a growth trend since bottoming in July, according to the US National Association of Realtors (NAR).

KUALA LUMPUR: Pintaras Jaya Bhd's wholly-owned subsidiary Pintaras Geotechnics Sdn Bhd has been awarded a contract worth RM26.1 million by Exceljade Sdn Bhd.

The contract will see Pintaras undertake earthwork, piling including pilecaps and stumps for development of service apartments at Jalan Tun Razak/Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz in the city.

JAKARTA: Indonesia's top mortgage lender PT Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) sees a government commitment to allow foreigners to own local property next year as an opportunity for aggressive expansion, the company's CEO said on Thursday, Dec 23.

The favourable factors fuelling the regional property markets a year ago, namely strong economic growth, low interest rates and abundant liquidity, are still prevailing.

KUALA LUMPUR: UEM Land Bhd (UEM), the master developer of Nusajaya, will jointly develop the second mixed development project in Puteri Harbour with United Malayan Land Bhd (UMLand).

The project will be undertaken by Nusajaya Consolidated Sdn Bhd (NCSB), a 50/50 joint venture company of UEM and UMLand, it said in a press release on Thursday, Dec 23.

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Properties Bhd (SPB) posted a net profit of RM51.89 million for its financial year ended Oct 31, 2011(FYE 2010) on back of revenue of RM203.04 million.

KUALA LUMPUR: The mass rail transit (MRT) project will benefit the economy and boost the productivity of workers by 2020, says Land Public Transport Commission (LPTC).

Chief executive officer Mohd Nur Ismal Kamal said the implementation of the project would see 280 million annual person-hours saved in worker productivity and RM20 billion per annum in time savings.