200,000 celebrate Singapore’s 43rd birthday at S’pore Marina Bay

200,000 celebrate Singapore’s 43rd birthday at S’pore Marina Bay

By May Wong

SINGAPORE: Some 200,000 gathered at Marina Bay on Saturday to mark Singapore’s 43rd birthday.

The celebrations kicked off with teenage jazz heart-throb Nathan Hartono performing the opening song at the National Day Parade (NDP) titled “Where I Belong”.

Despite the drizzle, the crowds were razzle dazzled by the non-stop action on the sea, in the stands and up in the skies.

The Singapore Air Force’s elite Black Knights participated in this year’s NDP for the first time. They also commemorated the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s 40th anniversary.

The military police also made a re-appearance at the parade since their last performance in 2006.

The six F16 Fighting Falcons greeted spectators at Marina Bay with their deafening entrance and they certainly left a mark in the sky for all to see in their tight formation.

Flying at some 2,000 kilometres an hour, over the central business district, leaves no room for any mistakes.

As thousands craned their necks with cameras in hand, the Black Knights just could not resist declaring their love for Singapore.

During the parade proper, the military police officers displayed their precision drill to the beat of the military band’s music.

Staff Sergeant Alan Poh, SAF Military Police Command, said: “They have to get used to the weight of the rifle, so that they will not drop the weapon when they toss the rifle. And also while performing at the platform, they actually have to execute the drills in sync with the rhythm of the music.

“Also at the same time, to actually co-ordinate with the band and the bikers to form the various formations, such as the crescent and the star.”

The officers also added more sparkle to the celebrations, rounding off the segment with their acrobatic bike stunts.

The gallery can sit about 30,000 people, about half the size of National Stadium and the Padang, the two locations which used to host the parade. But some 150,000 others also caught part of the parade from the waterfront.

Meanwhile, over 600 Singaporeans living in Shanghai also marked the occasion with dancing and music, despite being away from home.

At the party organised by the Shanghai Singapore Business Association, the group of overseas Singaporeans gathered to watch the parade, which was beamed ‘live’ for the first time on Channel NewsAsia International.

There are over 7,000 Singaporeans living in Shanghai, the largest concentration of Singapore citizens in China. - CNA/vm

Source : Channel NewsAsia - 10 Aug 2008

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MM Lee confident of S’pore future in the next 5 to 10 years

MM Lee confident of S’pore future in the next 5 to 10 years

By Imelda Saad,

(L-R) Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, former US President George Bush Senior

SINGAPORE: Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said Singapore has a future if it can achieve in the next 43 years what it has done so far.

Speaking to reporters after the National Day Parade, he said he is confident about the next five to 10 years “because the conditions are favourable.

“There’s a team in charge that will see it through. Beyond that, this present team has got to replace itself with another good team.”

Turning to the Beijing Olympics, Mr Lee spoke about his experience as Singapore’s representative.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi accompanied both Minister Mentor Lee and former US President George Bush Senior to the opening ceremony.

Mr Lee, who watched the opening ceremony on Friday night, described it as spectacular.

He said: “Even a biased foreigner will know that these are very determined people with the capability and the potential. It must mean they will end up on the top table.” - CNA/vm

Source : Channel NewsAsia - 10 Aug 2008

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Why is the S’pore $ plunging?

Why is the S’pore $ plunging?

Analysts cite slowdown in growth, low interest rates, falling oil prices
By Bryan Lee, Economics Correspondent

The US dollar is the most widely used currency in international trade and acts as a common benchmark for business worldwirde. — PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

THE value of the Singapore dollar yesterday suffered its largest fall against the US dollar in two years, diving 1.2 per cent to $1.40 to the greenback.
The plunge propelled the local currency to its biggest weekly drop against the US dollar in four years.

Why the US$ matters
THE Singapore dollar may be managed against a basket of currencies of the country’s biggest trading partners but its rate of exchange with the greenback is still the most important measure of its value.

The US dollar is the most widely used currency in international trade and acts as a common benchmark for both businesses and policymakers worldwide.

Why this near free fall in the Singdollar? Analysts say anxieties over slowing economic growth have now overtaken inflation concerns. When inflation was enemy No. 1, a strong Singdollar was a given.

The local currency, along with the euro, yen and other major currencies, are being assailed by growing signs that America’s economic slump is spreading worldwide. The greenback, which has already been hurt by US economic woes, ironically stands tall in these bearish times.

Two other factors mean the Singdollar is losing ground, analysts say. Firstly, falling energy and commodity prices are seen to erode inflation’s threat. Secondly, local interest rates, at a paltry 1 per cent, are prompting investors to move their money to higher-yielding currencies.

‘With global growth slowing rapidly and oil prices coming off sharply, the local market is shifting its focus to growth from inflation,’ said UBS currency strategist Nizam Idris.

Currency experts reckon the Singdollar is likely to weaken further in the coming months, though yesterday’s nosedive is unlikely to be repeated.

But they say the Monetary Authority of Singapore will probably maintain its policy stance, allowing for Singdollar appreciation, at the next review in October.

They say the MAS is likely to keep this stand as it is far from clear that the inflation beast has truly been slain. MAS manages the currency against an undisclosed basket of currencies of its top trading partners. It has moved in the last two reviews to allow for a faster appreciation. A stronger Singdollar makes imports cheaper, which helps rein in inflation, but it also makes exports less competitive.

Bearish growth comments on Thursday from the European Central Bank, usually concerned only with inflation, and a warning from Tokyo that the world’s No. 2 economy may be in a recession, sent the euro down 1.7 per cent and the yen down 1 per cent.

Other currencies, including the ringgit, Indonesian rupiah, Philippine peso and Taiwan dollar, also recorded sharp falls in what Mr Nizam has described as an ‘ugliness contest’ in which currencies are repriced as the weakness of their underlying economies becomes apparent.

‘People now forget the decoupling theory. The only currency that has already priced in its negative economic environment is the US dollar. For other currencies, adjustments are being made as their economies are now expected to record weaker growth,’ he said.

Standard Chartered Bank foreign exchange strategist Callum Henderson points out that Asia is especially vulnerable to a global slowdown as it is the region most open to world trade. This may prompt policymakers to ease monetary policy and cut borrowing costs to help sustain economic activity. ‘Interest rate expectations have shifted a lot in Asia and Europe towards rate cuts,’ he said.

In Singapore, analysts say the central bank may be letting the Singdollar slide within the overall band of appreciation as inflation, which has hit 26-year highs, seems to have peaked. A recent fall in oil and commodity prices, inflation’s biggest drivers, may be prompting policymakers to shift attention to economic growth. Oil, which recently hit US$147 a barrel, is now trading at around US$120.

Experts say the Government appears more bearish over local economic prospects. Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Thursday said growth is unlikely to rebound ‘any time soon’.

‘The stronger Singdollar is now a double whammy for exports and growth at a time when external demand is already weak,’ said Citigroup economist Kit Wei Zheng. ‘Regional tech exports have weakened in recent months but the underperformance of Singapore’s exports has been alarming.’

Looking ahead, further weakness in the Singdollar is likely, say analysts.

But Mr Nizam feels the pace of weakening may not be as rapid until clearer signs that inflation is really abating appear. Oil prices, for instance, can rebound as quickly as they fell. ‘Singapore’s domestic fundamentals haven’t changed drastically and underlying inflation is still firm.’

Source : Straits Times - 10 Aug 2008

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Office Space, warehouse and Factory 15 Tuas View Place

Office Space, warehouse and Factory 15 Tuas View Place

Attached is the 15 Tuas View Place project which might seem fit into your requirements.

Asking price is S$15millions negotiable.

PREMIER INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

The Detached Factory at 15 Tuas View Place is a premier industrial building developed by Far East Organization. The 2 storey building is designed with the modern business in mind. Behind the full glass façade, practical features such as a raised loading/unloading bay for 40ft containers and a forklift accessible lift for easy movement of goods are included.

In all, the Detached Factory at 15 Tuas View Place represents the perfect blend of good corporate image and practical features required by businesses today.

FEATURES

• Modern façade for good corporate image
• Land area of 48,800sqft / floor area of 45,000sqft approx
• Sheltered loading/unloading platforms
• Forklift accessible service lift
• No land rent payable

AMENITIES

• Easy access to PIE, AYE and Tuas 2nd Link
• Near to Tuas Biomedical Park
• Near food centre
• Walking distance to bus-stops

For yours necessary action and retention, please.

Buy Sell Rent Invest In Singapore

MINDY YONG

( +65 ) 91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com ( email me )

Eunos Tech Park 1 landed terrace factory For Sale

Eunos Tech Park 1 landed terrace factory For Sale

CORPORATE TERRACE BUILDING

Eunos Techpark 1 is an impressive landed industrial development, built with high quality finishes to provide good corporate image.

The self-contained landed terrace factory has floor areas ranging from 13,000 to 21,000 sqft. Spanning over 5 or 7 storeys, each unit is able to house ancillary office, showroom, production and warehouse operations all under one roof - giving you perfect control over your business.

With a practical facilities such as personal covered loading bays for 40ft containers and passenger/cargo lifts, businesses will also enjoy more efficiency in their day to day operations.

FEATURES

• Sizes from 13,000 to 21,000 sq ft
• Covered loading bays for 40ft containers
• Separate lift lobbies for passenger and goods
• Private parking lots

AMENITIES

• Easy access to PIE and ECP
• Near Eunos MRT / bus-stops
• Near banks, childcare and food courts
• Ready workforce from nearby housing estate

Land area approx 7850 sq ft and Builit in Area – 20430 sq ft. (7th storey building)

We are offering now at S$300.00 psf. ( Subject to change , call for lastest update )

For yours necessary action and retention, please.
Buy Sell Rent Invest In Singapore

MINDY YONG

( +65 ) 91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com ( email me )

Enterprise One industrial factory, office & warehousing

Enterprise One industrial factory, office & warehousing

PREMIER BUSINESS LOCATION

Enterprise One is Far East Organization’s latest business space development. Located beside the bustling Kaki Bukit Industrial Estate,

the 5-storey ramp-up development prominently fronts Eunos Link and Kaki Bukit Avenue 1.

Designated for Clean and Light industries, the development is suitable for light manufacturing, warehousing and ancillary office use.

Apart for standard factory units, there are showroom units and food processing units available.

Its modern architectural design is esthetically pleasing yet practical as most units are column free and has its own attached toilet.

Ample facilities such as loading and unloading bays, cargo/passenger lifts and car/lorry parking lots are catered to allow businesses

to operate efficiently within the development.

HOMESTATION

Approved showrooms with excellent frontage facing Eunos Link and other roads. Sizes from 2,164 sqft onwards. Suitable for showcase of home related products / services.

FOOD FACTORY

AVA approved food processing factories. Sizes from 2303 sqft onwards. Suitable as central kitchen, bakery and food packaging.

FEATURES

• Sizes from 1044sqft
• Good Frontage facing Eunos Link
• Vehicular access to all levels
• Loading platform for up to 16 containers

AMENITIES

• Easy access to PIE and AYE
• Near MRT stations / Bus stops
• Food court
• Near banks and food centre

Our 5th floor units are approval for food processing by AVA & NEA authorities.

We have one stack to be released soon for SALES, possible to fit yours requirements approx.from 2,000sq ft - 30,000 sq ft.

Attached is the Enterprise One project which might seem fit into your requirements located at Eunos (Kaki Bukit).

For yours necessary action and retention, please.

Buy Sell Rent Invest In Singapore

MINDY YONG

( +65 ) 91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com ( email me )

Linkpoint Place Terrace Factory For General Industry For Sale

Linkpoint Place Terrace Factory For General Industry For Sale

Built-in with void - 9279 sq ft  ($248 psf)

$2,300,000.00 negotiable

Linkpoint Place is a landed development which consist of 36 single storey terrace factory with built in mezzanine. The modern looking facade gives businesses a premier corporate look while maintaining the practicality required by most industrials today. Each units comes with wide frontage and good ceiling height, required for mounting of cranes and machinery. Most units also come with a backyard area which can be used for storage or open-air workshop.

Situated near the Tuas Biomedical Park, the development is suitable for most general industries such as marine engineering, metal fabrication and supporting industries to the biomedical companies.

FEATURES

• Land area from 7,750 sqft
• Wide frontage with good ceiling height
• No land rent/investment criteria
• Flexibility of expansion to maximum plot ratio of 1.4

AMENITIES

• Easy access to PIE, AYE and Tuas 2nd Link
• Near to Tuas Biomedical Park
• Near food centre
• Walking distance to bus-stops

For yours necessary action and retention, please

Buy Sell Rent Invest In Singapore

MINDY YONG

( +65 ) 91002985

mindy@mindyyong.com ( email me )