UNITED STATES (U.S.): Churches emerged from previous economic downturns relatively unscathed, lenders noted. But the recent recession was preceded by an unusual boom in church building.

HONG KONG: Hong Kong housing prices hit a 12-year high in the first quarter after increasing 7.5 per cent from the end of 2009.

The surge was powered by a combination of low interest rates, limited supply and growing confidence in Hong Kong's economic recovery, according to a housing index compiled by Centaline Property Agency.

KUALA LUMPUR: Hwang DBS Vickers Research (HDBSVR) has a Buy call on Sunway Holdings with a sum-of-parts target price of RM1.95

Sunway had on Thursday, April 1 accepted the letter of award for a RM88 million contract from KLCC Holding Sdn Bhd to build Phase 2 of Impiana KLCC Development.

KUALA LUMPUR: Dijaya Corporation Bhd has re-designated Dickson Tan Yong Loong as its executive director from his previous position as non-executive director.

The Sime Darby Idea House

KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Property Bhd’s Sime Darby Idea House, currently being built within its Denai Alam township in Shah Alam, is set to be the first carbon-neutral residence in Southeast Asia.

Kuala Lumpur: Hua Yang Bhd is undertaking a RM45 million commercial cum industrial development in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, a project earmarked as an industrial hotspot for business owners seeking a strategic address and investors scouting for viable investments.

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP National Publicity Secretary Tony Pua on Thursday, April 1 urged the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to refrain from taking unnecessary investment risks and "over-stretching" the limits of its role under the government's New Economic Model (NEM).

KUALA LUMPUR: Sunway Holdings Bhd has been awarded a RM88 million contract from KLCC Holding Sdn Bhd for construction works on Phase 2 of Impiana KLCC hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR: Brem Holdings Bhd has acquired a 49% stake in Topaz Teguh Sdn Bhd for RM1.2 million.

The 49% stake, which represents 1.9 million shares, was acquired by Brem Holdings’ unit Naga Istimewa Sdn Bhd from Hong Wey Sports Business Co Ltd, the company said in a filing to Bursa Malaysia on Thursday April 1. The acquisition will be financed through internal funds.

HONG KONG: Prime industrial land prices in Hong Kong registered a 38% 6-month increase to become the world’s most expensive at US$1,063.59 per sq ft, according to Colliers International’s Global Industrial Highlights for the second half of 2009.