Yuexiu REIT Demonstrates Asset Resilience, High-Quality Assets Enhance Defensiveness, Strong Fundamentals Foster Long-Term Value

HONG KONG, Aug 15, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Yuexiu Real Estate Investment Trust ("Yuexiu REIT", together with Yuexiu REIT Asset Management Limited, collectively known as the "REIT"; stock code: 405) announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2023.


Yuexiu REIT Management-Mr. LIN Deliang, Chairman, CEO and Exe. Director (3rd left); Ms. OU Haijing, Deputy CEO and Exe. Director (2nd left); Mr. KWAN Chi Fai, CFO (4th left); and Mr. JIANG Yongjin, IR Director (1st left)


2023 Interim Results Summary:
– Overall operation grew steadily, with total revenue of RMB1,061 million, representing a 12.4% year-on-year increase.
– Distribution of approximately RMB0.0541 per unit, equivalent to approximately HK$0.0590 for the period. This represents an annualized distribution yield of 7.07%.
– As at 30 June 2023, the overall occupancy rate of the properties was approximately 84.0%.

Guangzhou International Finance Center (GZIFC):
– Tapped into potential demand for offices and attracted well known enterprises, enriching business types, attracting customer traffic and organizing promotions for the shopping mall.
– Interim operating revenue of the GZIFC complex was RMB503.8 million, accounting for 47.4% of the REIT's total revenue.
– GZIFC is committed to building a medium-to-long-term stable tenant structure, and the proportion of high-quality tenants increased by 2.9%, with an average renewal period of four years and a 2.7% increase in renewed rent.
– With precise investment in promotional activities to facilitate business operations, GZIFC Shopping Mall recorded a year-on-year increase of 24% in customer traffic and a year-on-year increase of 13% in sales in the first half year.
– Overall performance of the hotel and serviced apartments rebounded significantly and continued to set benchmarks for the market. Four Seasons Hotel and Ascott Serviced Apartments saw year-on-year increases in their average occupancy rates and average room rates.

Yuexiu Financial Tower:
– Securing high-quality tenants and expediting business solicitation.
– Yuexiu Financial Tower posted an operating revenue of approximately RMB200.2 million, representing 18.9% of the REIT's total revenue. Occupancy rate stood at 89.1%.
– Top 100 central enterprises and industry leaders were successfully introduced, thereby further stabilizing the high-quality tenant base.

Active optimization of debt structure and effective reduction of financing cost
– Completed the issuance of the first tranche of RMB1.5 billion Shanghai Free Trade Zone Bonds with a coupon rate of 4.15% in March for the repayment of matured debt. To ensure effective control of liquidity risk, withdrew the first tranche of RMB1.5 billion of the RMB4 billion cross-border direct loans in June to refinance the maturing financing during the year in advance.
– Taking advantage of the spread window of the domestic and offshore financing cost, the REIT replaced the existing offshore foreign currency financing with RMB loans, thereby reducing the overall financing cost. Interest rate exposure is expected to drop to 48% upon completion of the loans replacement. At the end of June 2023, the REIT's average financing cost was 4.90%, representing an increase of 7 basis points from 4.83% at the end of 2022.

Yuexiu REIT Asset Management Limited (the "Manager") has declared a distribution of approximately RMB0.0541 per unit, equivalent to approximately HK$0.0590 (2022 first half: approximately RMB0.0734 which was equivalent to HK$0.0853) to unitholders for the 2023 Interim Period. Based on the closing price of HK$1.67 per unit as at 30 June 2023 (closing price as at 30 June 2022: HK$3.06), the yield is approximately 3.54% (2022 first half: 2.79%). This represents an annualized distribution yield of 7.07%.

Mr. LIN Deliang, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Yuexiu REIT, said: "In the first half of 2023, Yuexiu REIT adhered to innovation and change and strived to achieve long-term commercial value in the face of various post-pandemic economic challenges. By focusing on leisure consumption, the hotels and apartments' overall operations have returned to the pre-pandemic levels; customer flow in the retail shopping malls have recovered and grown steadily; the operations of specialized wholesale market has steadily recovered; and the office buildings' performance remained stable in the declining demand market. Yuexiu REIT is committed to creating good results for unitholders."

Guangzhou International Finance Center (GZIFC)
GZIFC is committed to building a medium-to-long-term stable tenant structure, and the proportion of high-quality tenants increased by 2.9%. During the first half year, it focused on tapping into the demand of existing high-quality tenants for expansion of lease area. Meanwhile, by utilizing various resources, top-notch professional services and financial companies were successfully introduced. In the face of intense competition for customers, GZIFC actively retained high-quality tenants and renewed their leases, with the renewal rate of key tenants reaching 100% in the first half year. Well-known tenants such as Societe Generale, Bank of Taiwan and Mango TV renewed their leases with an average renewal period of four years and an increase of 2.7% in the renewal rent.

The GZIFC Shopping Mall introduced Taishen, the first Southeast Asian cuisine brand from Chang Lai Catering Group, and Gyen Hutong, a high-quality barbecue chain brand. Together, these brands helped to increase the per customer transaction of catering tenants and laid the foundation for introducing restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide and the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide. In addition, the Mall introduced its first cha chaan teng (Hong Kong style restaurant), Tang-dao, and the first Korean restaurant featuring rice mixed with soup, FUSION. The result is an optimized catering mix on the B1 floor to better meet the needs of CBD white-collar workers by offering quality and convenient meals. A normalized coordination mechanism has been substantially established to integrate resources of various business formats and attract traffic in a targeted manner. With precise investment in promotional activities to facilitate business operations, the Mall recorded a year-on-year increase of 24% in customer traffic and a year-on-year increase of 13% in sales in the first half year.

Capitalizing on demand from the leisure tourism market during the Spring Festival and Labour Day holidays, as well as opportunities brought by the resumption of large-scale exhibitions, Four Seasons Hotel actively developed the foreign customers market. In the first half of 2023, the average occupancy rate of the Hotel was 79.5%, representing a year-on-year increase of 26.9 percentage points. The average room rate was RMB2,202, a year-on-year increase of 41.3%. Over the same period, the average occupancy rate of Ascott Serviced Apartments reached 90.3%, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.1 percentage points. The average room rate was RMB1,101, a year-on-year increase of 10.7%.

Yuexiu Financial Tower
During the first half year, Yuexiu Financial Tower completed the lease renewal of approximately 20,000 sq.m., with the overall lease renewal rate reaching 86.1%, the key tenants renewal rate reaching 94%, and renewal rent increasing by 6%, enabling a more stable lease structure and growth in rental income. Customized renovation services were provided to cater for the needs of prospective tenants, and the renovated units recorded a high sell-through rate of 92%, which greatly enhanced product competitiveness, promoted the conversion rate of business solicitation and improved customer satisfaction.

White Horse Building
White Horse Building capitalized on the market recovery to expedite business solicitation and conversion, and introduced customer group from the key market to settle in. In the first half of 2023, newly contracted area totaled 9,183 sq.m., and the occupancy rate increased by 9.2 percentage points to a level above 90% compared with the end of 2022. White Horse Building innovated its marketing model, improved its operational supporting capabilities, and took the initiative to seek and utilise government resources to expand media exposure and further strengthen its industry influence.

Fortune Plaza and City Development Plaza
Targeting business customers, these two projects implemented product transformation to enhance their competitiveness, with the current sell-through rate of renovated units reaching 78.3%, effectively promoting business solicitation and leasing. In the first half year, Fortune Plaza successfully engaged its existing tenant, zhenai.com, to expand its lease area. The Plaza also renewed leases with tenants such as Master Meditech and Cambodia Airways, and introduced a number of enterprises including Nuoxun Human Resource and Egypt TEDA, thus continuing to optimize the tenant structure. In May, City Development Plaza successfully introduced a high-quality customer, Pufanglimin, to take up the units on the 26th floor, seamlessly transitioning the area for which the lease was previously terminated.

Victory Plaza
Leveraging on brand marketing and resource coordination, Victory Plaza recorded a year-on-year increase of 38% in the mall's customer flow, and a 22% year-on-year increase in sales in the first half year, while its anchor customer, Uniqlo, recorded a year-on-year increase of 19% in sales during the same period. The Plaza proactively managed operating risks by removing high-risk customers which previously occupied an area of approximately 350 sq.m., and seamlessly introduced two high-quality, emerging brands in the first half year, resulting in an increase of 17.6% in the first-year rent of new contracts. In addition, Uniqlo's lease was renewed in advance to stabilize the project's operation.

Shanghai Yue Xiu Tower
Shanghai Yue Xiu Tower implemented flexible leasing policies, creating customized renovated units to enhance customers' office experience. In the first half year, newly contracted area increased by 5% year-on-year to 1,200 sq.m., while the renewed leasing area reached 3,000 sq.m., greatly contributing to its stable customer resources.

Wuhan Properties
Yuexiu Fortune Centre improved on its business solicitation strategies. In terms of product optimization, new, small and medium-sized units were provided by way of capital renovation, enriching the range of products offered to customers. In terms of new contracts, the Centre catered for demands from existing high-quality customers (such as Guangxin Communication) for expansion of leased areas, securing over 10,000 sq.m of newly contracted space during the first half year. In terms of lease renewals amidst the challenging market environment, high-quality customers such as Prolog, AVIVA-COFCO and New China Life and Midea completed their lease renewals, covering an area of 12,300 sq.m.

In the first half of the year, Starry Victoria Shopping Centre entered into contract with 11 brands, with a contracted area of nearly 4,000 sq.m., thus promoting the overall business image and quality of Hall A. With a view to assist tenants in stabilizing their operations, the Centre carried out marketing activites with carpark support for tenants who bore high rents. Management of lease renewal was strengthened, and a high renewal rate of 81.8% in the first half year was achieved, with an increase of 24.2% in effective rents during the contract period. Tenants which are engaged in diversified operations, such as Muji, were also introduced to complement the existing range of tenants and enrich the business atmosphere of the shopping mall.

Hangzhou Victory
Hangzhou Victory strengthened its lease management and actively renewed the expiring lease area, successfully introducing a top enterprise, 100 Million Mainstay Companies, to the portfolio, which leased two entire floors with a total area of 2,500 sq.m. Lease renewal for an enterprise related to the China Railway Group on the seventh floor was successfully completed, with an increase of 4.9% in the effective rent of the renewed lease. The overall occupancy rate of the building increased by 5.8 percentage points year-on-year to 99.2%.

Prospects
Facing the challenges of the slow recovery of the post-pandemic economy and the uneven recovery paces across industries, the Manager will remain committed to elevating operational capabilities, optimizing the business model, enhancing product competitiveness, vigorously stabilizing business and attracting investment, providing omni-channel development of tenant resources, and further stabilizing the base of high-quality tenants. The Manager will also continue to explore financing opportunities in the capital market, effectively reduce financing costs, and so as to bring stable returns to unitholders.

About Yuexiu Real Estate Investment Trust
Yuexiu Real Estate Investment Trust ("Yuexiu REIT") was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on 21 December 2005 and is the first listed real estate investment trust only investing in properties in the People's Republic of China (the "PRC") in the world. The current property portfolio comprises ten high quality properties, namely Guangzhou International Finance Center, White Horse Building, Fortune Plaza, City Development Plaza, Victory Plaza, Yuexiu Financial Tower in Guangzhou, Yuexiu Tower in Shanghai, Wuhan Properties in Wuhan (including Wuhan Yuexiu Fortune Centre and Starry Victoria Shopping Centre), Victory Business Centre in Hangzhou and Yuexiu Building in Hong Kong, with a total area of ownership of approximately 1.184 million sq.m. All properties are located in the central business district of Guangzhou, Shanghai, Wuhan, Hangzhou and Hong Kong respectively. The categories of the properties include Grade-A offices, commercial complexes, retail business, hotel, serviced apartments and professional clothing market etc.

For media enquiries:
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Vicky Lee Tel: +852 2864 4834
Phoebe Leung Tel: +852 2114 4172
Lilia Yang Tel: +852 2864 4833
Email: sprg_yx@sprg.com.hk
Website: http://www.sprg.com.hk


Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Assetwise (SET: ASW) Joins TOKYO TATEMONO in 2nd Joint Venture, Targeting Campus Condo Market near Burapha University

BANGKOK, Aug 3, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Assetwise PCL (SET: ASW), in a continuous effort to strengthen and grow in the real estate market, has teamed up with the leading Japanese real estate giant, TOKYO TATEMONO, to jointly invest in the development of the "Kave Coco Bang Saen" project, valued at over 2,000 million baht, targeting the Campus Condo market near Burapha University and reaffirming their leadership position.





Mr. Kromchet Vipanpong, CEO of Assetwise Public Company Limited (ASW), a leading real estate developer in the lifestyle segment with the concept of "Happiness Designed for You" or "We Build Happiness," says that ASW is leading the charge to increase strength and grow in the real estate market. Most recently, ASW entered into a joint venture with Tokyo Tatemono Asia Pte. Ltd., subsidiary of Tokyo Tatemono Co.,Ltd Being the leading and the long history real estate company in Japan, to develop the "Kave Coco Bang Saen" condominium project, located near Burapha University, with a project value of over 2,000 million baht. This successful collaboration further solidifies ASW's leadership in the Campus Condo market, focusing on condominiums located near educational institutions, with ASW holding 51% of the shares and Tokyo Tatemono holding 49%.

"This joint venture marks the second project between our company and Tokyo Tatemono, working together to create residential solutions that cater to the lifestyle of the new generation. It reaffirms the confidence Tokyo Tatemono has in our company as a leader in the Campus Condo market and the lifestyle-oriented real estate market in Thailand. Tokyo Tatemono, a reputable and well-established Japanese listed on the Japanese stock exchange, has a diverse portfolio of real estate developments, including residential and commercial properties, such as hotels, golf courses, and office buildings. They are known for their attention to detail and commitment to developing high-quality projects. In 2022, Tokyo Tatemono's revenue reached up to 86,000 million baht, with registered capital of 24,000 million baht," states Mr. Kromchet.

As for the "Kave Coco Bang Saen" project, it consists of an 8-story condominium comprising 4 buildings with 974 units ranging from 23 to 34.50 square meters each, situated on over 8 rai of land near Burapha University. The project is surrounded by a vibrant community of students and working professionals. Starting at 1.59 million baht a unit, the project's total value amounts to 2,000 million baht. This condominium features a distinctive, modern, and unique design that combines fun and flexibility, catering to diverse preferences and lifestyles of the new generation. It stands out with its spacious and contemporary common areas, offering various trendy amenities to support the creative endeavors of young individuals endlessly. These amenities include a Music Studio, Meeting Chamber, Learning Hub, Fit Studio, and Kave Theater, which have been well-received in previous Kave brand projects. Prior to this collaboration, ASW and Tokyo Tatemono jointly invested in the "Atmoz Oasis Onnut" project, comprising 1,110 units with a project value of 2,200 million baht.

The CEO of ASW, in discussing the real estate market in Chonburi province, highlighted its remarkable and continuous growth. Chonburi is one of the areas in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which has seen significant infrastructure development, including projects like the Motorway (Pattaya-Map Ta Phut), High-Speed Rail (Bangkok-Rayong), Laem Chabang Phase 3 Deep Seaport, and the High-Speed Rail Linking 3 Airports (U-Tapao-Suvarnabhumi-Don Mueang). The High-Speed Rail project will connect Don Mueang Airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport, and U-Tapao Airport, covering a distance of over 220 kilometers, and will utilize an area in Sri Racha district, Chonburi, spanning over 25 rai as one of its stations.

Chonburi province also has plans to become a hub for digital innovation and industry promotion, developing digital talents. There are also plans to establish a comprehensive medical innovation center to support advanced medical research and innovation. Additionally, Chonburi aims to be a significant tourist destination, attracting both local residents and working professionals, as well as foreign executives, second-home buyers, and investors looking for rental properties. This development will positively impact the real estate market in the province, with an estimated 8.4% average increase in new residential addresses entering the market and a 5.6% average increase in new sales per year during 2023-2025.

The focus on the "Bang Saen" area, which is home to the renowned Burapha University, is also noteworthy. Burapha University is part of the special economic promotion project for genomics medicine, supporting comprehensive medical and healthcare businesses, including an operating center at the university's Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences with an area of over 3 rai and an investment budget of 1,250 million baht. The plan is to establish a center for DNA testing and data storage for genomics in Thailand, promoting advanced medical research and elevating Thailand's healthcare to a leading global level.

Furthermore, Bang Saen is a popular seaside tourist destination that never sleeps, attracting tourists as well as being a gathering place for the lifestyle of the new generation, including the more than 25,000 students from Burapha University, residents, workers, and tourists. This has created a demand for condominium-type residential properties, both from students seeking long-term accommodations for their studies and some students' parents who buy properties for their children to live in during their studies and later sell or rent out for a good return on investment. Additionally, the area attracts investors, workers in the surrounding large industrial estates, and tourists who enjoy the lifestyle in Bang Saen.

Mr.Tajima, Managing Executive Officer and Director of the Overseas Business Division at Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd., states that the company recognizes the potential of the "Kave Coco Bang Saen" project, which is located in an area with high purchasing power within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). All projects under the Kave brand of ASW have received significant positive feedback from customers, including both residential buyers and investors seeking rental properties for good returns. The company is confident that the Kave Coco Bang Saen project will also be highly successful.

"We have confidence in ASW, a real estate development company with a broad vision, dedicated to elevating the quality of living and adding value in the future. We have seen success with over 50 quality real estate projects, as well as the commitment to expand growth in various markets. This joint venture will lead to another quality project and further strengthen our growth together," Mr. Tajima says.

ASW conducts real estate development focusing on high-rise and low-rise residential projects in high-potential locations. Their projects are designed with the concept of "Happiness Designed for You" or "We Build Happiness," and they have developed over 50 condominium and housing projects under various brands within the group, catering to diverse lifestyles. These brands include Kave, Atmoz, Modiz, Esta, and The Honor, with a total project value of over 55,300 million baht. The projects consist of 37 completed and ready-to-move-in projects, as well as 13 projects currently under development and for sale. The current backlog stands at over 12,500 million baht in sales revenue.

Distributed by the Public Relations Department of MT Multimedia Co., Ltd. (on behalf of ASW PCL).
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Pipop (Top) at +66 081-9298864
E-mail: pipop.k@mtmultimedia.com

Assetwise PCL: https://assetwise.co.th/ [SET: ASW]

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Hektar REIT’s Sustainability & CSR Commitment Honored with an Accolade

KUALA LUMPUR, Jul 27, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Hektar Asset Management Sdn Bhd, the Manager for Hektar Real Estate Investment Trust ("Hektar REIT") has been awarded "Company of the Year – Best in Sustainability Reporting & Community Support" under the category of Retail Management at the Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards 2023 held last night at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.


1. Mr. Muhammad Bakhtiar Ul Haq (Asst Manager, Investor Relations, ESG & Special Projects);
2. Pn. Sabrina Halim (General Manager, Business Development & Strategy); 3. Pn. Zarina Halim,
(Chief Corporate Officer); 4. Mr. Lim Kek Siang (Senior General Manager, Finance);
5. Mr. Muhammad Fahmi Bin Rasni (Senior Manager, Business Development & Strategy) [L-R]


The Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards 2023, which was officiated by the Minister of Women, Family & Community Development, YB Dato' Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, is organised by CSR Malaysia, a publication and social initiative under the auspices of the Malaysian Welfare Society for Corporate Sustainability & Responsibility, which is the national organisation for sustainability in the country. Several nominations were received for the various categories, with awardees judged by a distinguished panel of judges drawn from the media and the Malaysian Welfare Society for Corporate Sustainability & Responsibility.

Hektar REIT is proud to announce that it has been honoured with this highly acclaimed award for its unwavering dedication to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability practices. The recognition highlights Hektar REIT's exceptional efforts in contributing towards the people and the environment. The company embraces its responsibility to create shared value for all stakeholders, including tenants, employees, shareholders and the surrounding communities. Through extensive CSR programs, Hektar REIT consistently engages in activities that have fostered strong partnerships with local communities and institutions to drive impactful social change. By investing in the community, Hektar REIT has continued to play a pivotal role in improving and enriching the lives of communities surrounding the areas at which our malls operate.

Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer of Hektar Asset Management Sdn. Bhd. ("Hektar Asset Management"), En. Johari Shukri Jamil said "As we navigate the changing landscapes of business, one thing remains clear: Our responsibility goes beyond quarterly profits and shareholder value. Sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are central to who we are and how we operate. We must view our work through the lens of sustainability, not as a separate initiative, but as an intrinsic element of all our decisions and actions. We are committed to a world where our CSR efforts are a reflection of our respect for the planet, our community, and future generations. We are committed to business growth, enhancing the value for our unitholders, and positively impacting the world around us."

He said, "It is immensely gratifying to have these efforts recognised by the Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards. This serves as both an honour and an inspiration for us to keep pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve in the realms of sustainability and community support."

The awards are a testament to Hektar REIT's industry-leading initiatives and its unwavering commitment to sustainability and CSR. This recognition will further cement Hektar REIT's reputation as a socially responsible company that is actively contributing to a more sustainable future.

Hektar REIT: http://www.hektarreit.com/

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Champion REIT Hosts Inaugural ESG Forum

HONG KONG, Jul 19, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Champion Real Estate Investment Trust ("Champion REIT" or the "Trust") (Stock Code: 2778), owner of Three Garden Road and Langham Place, hosted its inaugural ESG Forum, with the theme "Championing Shared Values and Greater Resilience", marking an important milestone in the Trust's Net Zero and sustainability journey.


Distinguished guests participate in the kick-off ceremony of Champion REIT's Net-Zero journey.


Champion REIT has received tremendous support from a diverse group of over 150 participants from various industries and sectors. This event aimed to provide a platform for participants to engage in dialogues on two pressing topics: 1) transitioning to a Net Zero future, and 2) promoting diversity and social inclusion.

The Trust was delighted to invite industry experts to share their insights through the climate panel "Journey to Net Zero: Aligning Business and Environment Decisions for Green Transition". These included Mr Davis Bookhart, Director, Sustainability/Net-Zero Office of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, who served as moderator for the panel, and Ms Jenny Yeung, Vice President, Citi Realty Services, Citi Hong Kong; Ms Maria Cheung, Chief Executive of Fair Trade Hong Kong; Ms Michelle Leung, APAC ESG Senior Analyst, Bloomberg LP and Ir Norman Cheng, Chairman of the Hong Kong Waste Management Association.

The Trust was honoured to have Ms Minnie Soo, an Olympic bronze medallist in table tennis, as a distinguished guest for the social keynote presentation. Ms Soo shared her valuable insights and experiences, featuring how fair play in sports regardless of background which truly demonstrates diversity and inclusion. The forum was well attended by tenants of Three Garden Road and Langham Place, as well as ESG practitioners and business partners.

The Trust also announced the launch of the "Green Champion Challenge", which is an incentive-based initiative designed to encourage office tenants' involvement in energy and waste reduction, with the goal of co-creating positive environmental impacts. Additionally, Fair Trade Hong Kong, one of the most trusted sustainability labels in the world, was the strategic partner of the forum. A Fair Trade Bazaar, tailor-made special drinks and light refreshments were hosted to introduce fair trade and ESG principles.

Ms Christina Hau, Chief Executive Officer of Champion REIT, said, "The forum marks a momentous occasion for the Trust to connect all involved for creating shared values. It also offers an opportunity for us to strengthen old bonds and forge new connections with like-minded people who share our ESG commitment to foster the sustainable ecosystem for all."

About Champion REIT (Stock Code: 2778)
Champion Real Estate Investment Trust is a trust formed to own and invest in income producing office and retail properties. The Trust focuses on Grade A commercial properties in prime locations. It currently offers investors direct exposure to nearly 3 million sq. ft. of prime office and retail floor area. These include two Hong Kong landmark properties, Three Garden Road and Langham Place, as well as joint venture stake in 66 Shoe Lane in Central London. Since 2015, the Trust has been included in the Constituent of Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index of Hang Seng Indexes.

Website: https://www.championreit.com/

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Yuexiu REIT Wins the Best ESG (Social) Award at 9th Investor Relations Awards

HONG KONG, Jun 30, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Yuexiu Real Estate Investment Trust ("Yuexiu REIT", together with Yuexiu REIT Asset Management Limited, stock code: 405. HK) received the "Best ESG (Social) Award" for its outstanding social responsibility performance at the 9th Hong Kong Investor Relations Awards (the "Awards") organized by the Hong Kong Investor Relations Association (HKIRA), speaking volumes to the high recognition it enjoys for its ESG efforts in the investment community.



The Awards this year with 15 categories, attracted 126 well-known Hong Kong-listed companies to participate and 41 of them won awards. The winners were selected after two rounds of voting, which took place between March 21 and April 27, by more than 740 qualified voters, including buy-side and sell-side analysts and fund managers, and over 290 professional financial institutions-together with Link REIT, Fortune REIT, Sunlight REIT, SF REIT and Champion REIT won awards at the ceremony, Yuexiu REIT won the "Best ESG (Social) Award", recognizing and affirming its ESG endeavors.

For seven years since 2016, Yuexiu REIT has released its "Environmental, Social and Governance Report", and at the same time, it has continued to promote the organic integration of ESG concepts into its business models. Heeding the diverse scenarios involving business partners, employees, merchants and the public, Yuexiu REIT has built a green development ecology and led the ESG innovation trend in the commercial real estate sector. In 2022, Yuexiu REIT's outstanding ESG performance was recognized and recommended to investors by many rating agencies, with its MSCI ESG rating upgraded to "BB", GRESB rating upgraded to "Green Four-Star", and it scoring "A" grade for public disclosure (the highest of disclosure standard) for two consecutive years, and its first "Low Risk" ESG rating from Sustainalytics, which is also the "Highest ESG Rating for Asia-Pacific Area in 2023". In addition, its green and sustainable debt financing amount reached record high. As at the end of 2022, the proportion of green and sustainable-related debts of the REIT was 38.5%, and it will keep optimizing green and sustainable debt financing.

Regarding corporate social responsibility, the REIT is committed to creating the greatest value for employees, customers and the society, and adhering to the concept of sustainable development in promoting continuous social progress. The "YEService" system is implemented across all its properties to ensure customers are provided with services that are comfortable, safe and efficient, and caring. In addition to supporting community development, Yuexiu REIT fosters public well-being by making donations of materials, buying produce from farmers to support their livelihood and agriculture. It also pools resources by collaborating with neighborhoods, communities and volunteer groups and takes full advantage of its influence to hold for charity exhibitions and interactive activities, such as markets for munificent causes, concerts, theme salons, to encourage more people to pay attention to and partake in charitable activities.

As a real estate investment trust focusing on the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong markets, Yuexiu REIT sees strategic importance in building ESG capacity and regards it as a key handhold for enhancing core competitiveness. The award win has led Yuexiu REIT to believe that the integration of commercial real estate and ESG has become an important way to enhance the value of assets from the perspectives of green buildings, energy conservation and carbon reduction, service improvement, and risk prevention. Yuexiu REIT will continue to focus on taking its sustainable development strategies to greater depth and put ESG concepts into practice, and together with investors create a sustainable future. Besides, Yuexiu REIT stays connected to communities and provide venues for all kinds of charity activities, and continuously strengthen the goal of social welfare from volunteer team building.

About Hong Kong Investor Relations Association (HKIRA)
Founded in 2008, Hong Kong Investor Relations Association is a non-profit professional association comprising investor relations practitioners and corporate executives, with the aim of fostering communication between corporate management and the investment community. Most of its members work in companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Among Hang Seng Index constituent stocks,64% are members of the association. The HKIRA Investor Relations Awards (the "IR Awards"), which was established by the association in 2015, is well-recognized by the Hong Kong investment community for its professional, rigorous and fair selection system and high credibility. Candidates have to be nominated by the public, then voted on by professionals including qualified domestic and foreign fund managers, securities analysts. Its aim is to honor and reward individuals and companies for their high-standard investor relations work, making them worthy role models to the investment community.

About Yuexiu Real Estate Investment Trust
Yuexiu Real Estate Investment Trust ("Yuexiu REIT") was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on 21 December 2005 and is the first listed real estate investment trust only investing in properties in the People's Republic of China (the "PRC") in the world. The current property portfolio comprises ten high quality properties, namely Guangzhou International Finance Center, White Horse Building, Fortune Plaza, City Development Plaza, Victory Plaza, Yuexiu Financial Tower in Guangzhou, Yuexiu Tower in Shanghai, Wuhan Properties in Wuhan (including Wuhan Yuexiu Fortune Centre and Starry Victoria Shopping Centre), Victory Business Centre in Hangzhou and Yuexiu Building in Hong Kong, with a total area of ownership of approximately 1.184 million sq.m. All properties are located in the central business district of Guangzhou, Shanghai, Wuhan, Hangzhou and Hong Kong respectively. The categories of the properties include Grade-A offices, commercial complexes, retail business, hotel, serviced apartments and professional clothing market etc.

For media enquiries:
Strategic Financial Relations Limited
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Email: sprg_yx@sprg.com.hk


Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

The PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau) launch landmark 10th edition as country reopens for international travel

HONG KONG, Jun 21, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The 10th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau) programme, which celebrates the country's exemplary development companies and outstanding design practices, returns for its latest edition.



The 2023 edition now welcomes entries in various categories to compete for a chance to be hailed the Gold Standard of real estate. Submissions are accepted online until Friday, 15 September 2023 via: AsiaPropertyAwards.com.

The call for submissions comes on the heels of China's highly anticipated reopening to international travel while its property markets set forth on the path to recovery.

Newly completed and second-hand homes saw an annual rise in prices in many cities this year, according to reports compiled by Property Report by PropertyGuru, the official magazine of the Awards. The retail sector in China is also on the road to improvement, with consumer goods sales and online shopping sales exhibiting positive annual growth in 2022.

Jules Kay, general manager of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: "Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau have made remarkable contributions to design, construction, and engineering in the Asia Pacific real estate sector. These notable achievements not only establish benchmarks for architecture and development but have also served as inspiration for numerous companies around the region to push the boundaries of creativity over the years. As China opens up to the world this year, we look forward to showcasing more groundbreaking developments and developers from this dynamic, ever-evolving market."

Ken Ip, chairperson of the independent panel of judges of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Mainland China) and chairman of Asia MarTech Society, said: "As Mainland China reopens, the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards are set to unveil more achievements of the country's real estate developers and design practices to the rest of the region. The panel of judges of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards is honoured to have a hand in choosing China's finest real estate, which remain at the global forefront of design, construction, and innovation."

Paul Tse, chairperson of the independent panel of judges of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Hong Kong and Macau) and president of the board of directors of the Macao Association of Building Contractors and Developers, said: "My fellow judges and I welcome entries from Hong Kong and Macau to the 2023 edition of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards. We are excited to see what the two special administrative regions of China are offering in terms of property development, architecture, and design in 2023, as the pandemic gives way to the resurgence of opportunities in the real estate market."

The 2023 presentation of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau) will be held at The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok on Friday, 8 December.

Key dates for the 2023 edition:
15 September 2023 – Entries Close
2-13 October 2023 – Site Inspections (Hong Kong and Macau)
19 October 2023 – Final Judging (Hong Kong and Macau)
20 October 2023 – Final Judging (Mainland China)
8 December 2023 – Gala Event and Awards Ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand
8 December 2023 – Regional Grand Final Gala Presentation in Bangkok, Thailand

An independent panel of judges, comprising experts in fields such as real estate consultancy as well as architecture and interior design, will participate in a fair, transparent process selecting the award recipients.

The nominees shortlisted by the panel of judges will be able to showcase their companies and projects to a wide network of property seekers, real estate agents, banks and valuers, and other enterprises served by PropertyGuru Group (NYSE: PGRU), Southeast Asia's leading property technology company.

Supervised by HLB, the global network of independent advisory and accounting firms, the awards programme makes full use of a professionally run, fully transparent judging system, with an established reputation for credibility, transparency, and integrity.

Asia's finest developers

Main winners of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau) will qualify to compete with the region's best at the 18th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final 2023 on 8 December in Bangkok, Thailand.

Some of Asia's finest developers and design practices, as determined by the Awards, have originated from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. New World Development Company Limited garnered the award of Best Developer (Asia), representing China (Hong Kong and Macau), at the 17th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final 2022. Along with the design practice Lead8, the company also received the Best Mega Mixed Use Development (Asia) award for 11 SKIES.

Representing Mainland China, Lead8 additionally won the Best Retail Architectural Design (Asia) award for Shougang Park Urban Weaving District. Benoy Limited won Best Mixed Use Architectural Design (Asia) for CRL MixC Qianhai in another regional win for Mainland China.

Established in 2005, the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards continue to reward high-calibre work within the industry, encompassing property development, construction, architecture, interior design, and sustainable building practices. The series initially covered Southeast Asia and has expanded over the years to include the region's dynamic property markets, including Australia, Greater Niseko in Japan, and India.

Organised by PropertyGuru Group, the 10th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau) programme is supported by official partner Anjuke; marketing partner Global Design Awards Lab; official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; official publicity partners Artemis Associates and Molihua Media Group (MMG); media partners Mingtiandi and The Standard; and official supervisor HLB.

For more information, email awards@propertyguru.com or visit the official website: AsiaPropertyAwards.com.

NOTE: Use of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards logo is limited to the publication of this article only.

PROPERTYGURU CONTACTS:

General Enquiries:
Richard Allan Aquino, Head of Brand & Marketing Services
M: +66 92 954 4154
E: allan@propertyguru.com

Media & Partnerships:
Nate Dacua, Media Relations & Marketing Services Manager
M: +66 92 701 2510
E: nate@propertyguru.com

Sponsorships:
Kanittha Srithongsuk, Regional Manager, Awards Sponsorship
M: +66 93 293 9794
E: kanittha@propertyguru.com

Sales & Nominations:
Huiqing Xia, Senior Solutions Manager
M: +66 2 204 9599
E: summer@propertyguru.com

Kai Lok Kwok, Solutions Manager
M: (+66) 97117 8595
E: kai@propertyguru.com

Samuel Poon, Asst. Manager, Awards
M: +60 16 411 4361
E: samuel@propertyguru.com

ABOUT PROPERTYGURU ASIA PROPERTY AWARDS:
PropertyGuru's Asia Property Awards, established in 2005, are the region's most exclusive and prestigious real estate awards programme. The Asia Property Awards are recognised as the ultimate hallmark of excellence in the Asian property sector. Boasting an independent panel of industry experts and trusted supervisors, the Awards have an unparalleled reputation for being credible, ethical, fair and transparent.

In 2023, the Awards series is open to more than a dozen key property markets around the region. The exciting gala events welcome senior industry leaders and top media, as well as reach property agents and consumers via live streaming. Recognising excellence within each Asian market with a variety of categories, including green and sustainable development, each local awards programme will culminate in the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final, which takes place after the PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit during 'PropertyGuru Week' in December 2023.

For more information, please visit AsiaPropertyAwards.com

ABOUT PROPERTYGURU GROUP:
PropertyGuru is Southeast Asia's leading(1)PropTech company, and the preferred destination for over 37 million property seekers(2) to connect with almost 60,000 agents monthly(3) to find their dream home. PropertyGuru empowers property seekers with more than 2.9 million real estate listings(4), in-depth insights, and solutions that enable them to make confident property decisions across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

PropertyGuru.com.sg was launched in Singapore in 2007 and since then PropertyGuru Group has made the property journey a transparent one for property seekers in Southeast Asia. In the last 15 years, PropertyGuru has grown into a high-growth PropTech company with a robust portfolio including leading property marketplaces and award-winning mobile apps across its core markets; mortgage marketplace, PropertyGuru Finance; home services platform, Sendhelper; a host of proprietary enterprise solutions under PropertyGuru For Business including DataSense, ValueNet, Awards, events and publications across Asia.

For more information, please visit: PropertyGuruGroup.com; PropertyGuru Group on LinkedIn.

(1) Based on SimilarWeb data between October 2022 and March 2023.
(2) Based on Google Analytics data between October 2022 and March 2023.
(3) Based on data between January 2023 and March 2023.
(4) Based on data between October 2022 and March 2023.


Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

The 5th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Greater Niseko) 2023 celebrate popularity of Japan’s alpine market

TOKYO, May 31, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Organisers of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards have opened the call for entries for Greater Niseko at an opportune time for the world-renowned Japanese holiday property market.


The 5th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Greater Niseko) is now open for entries until 15 September 2023


The 5th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Greater Niseko) are now accepting entries ahead of their presentation on Friday, 8 December 2023. The awards will be announced on an international stage at The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok in Thailand, where the best of the best in the region's real estate will gather to celebrate industry excellence. Submissions are accepted online via: https://asiapropertyawards.com/

The emergence of increasingly upscale communities and easy access for Asian tourists and second-home buyers continue to contribute to Niseko's ascent, according to research from Property Report by PropertyGuru, the official magazine of the Awards.

With significant infrastructure developments in the pipeline, including a bullet-train route from Tokyo and a new regional highway, as well as a bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics, Greater Niseko is bound for greater prominence in the coming years. While foreign families and individual investors continue to be the primary property buyers in the area, Greater Niseko is seeing renewed interest from Japanese individual and corporate buyers, many of whom are increasingly drawn to the area's emerging enclaves.

Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: "With its world-class hotels and hospitality projects, Greater Niseko continues to be a significant player in Asia's property landscape, capturing the attention of investors, as well as the judges for the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards. As cross-border travel resumes in Japan, we eagerly anticipate the rebound of tourism in Greater Niseko, and are pleased to recognise and award the development and design firms that are revitalising one of the world's premier ski resort destinations."

Key dates for the 2023 edition:
15 September 2023 – Entries Close
2-13 October 2023 – Site Inspections
18 October 2023 – Final Judging
8 December 2023 – Gala Event and Awards Ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand
8 December 2023 – Regional Grand Final Gala Presentation in Bangkok, Thailand

The public are encouraged to submit their nominations before the deadline of entries on 15 September 2023 here: https://asiapropertyawards.com/nominations

New chairperson elected

Experts in real estate consultancy, design, and other fields have been assembled to form a panel of judges who will participate in a fair, transparent process of selecting the award recipients. This year, Eddie Guillemette, CEO of Midori no Ki (MnK), will serve as the new chairperson of the independent panel of judges, succeeding Bill Barnett, founder and managing director of C9 Hotelworks, who will remain on the panel.

Eddie Guillemette said: "I'm delighted to announce the resumption of the search for outstanding developments, companies, and design practices in Greater Niseko through the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards, in collaboration with an esteemed panel of independent judges. With the revitalisation of Japan's tourism sector and its close association with the real estate industry, we hold a positive outlook for the Greater Niseko property market this year."

Bill Barnett said: "Niseko is Asia's leading alpine real estate market and on the cusp of even greater things with a pipeline of international hotel brands such as Six Senses and Capella adding traction to the branded residences sector. We are optimistic of a significant market uplift this year based on very strong fundamentals."

The nominees shortlisted by the judges will be able to showcase their companies and projects to a wide network of property seekers, real estate agents, banks and valuers, and enterprises served by PropertyGuru Group (NYSE: PGRU), Southeast Asia's leading property technology company.

Supervised by HLB, the global network of independent advisory and accounting firms, the awards programme makes full use of a professionally run judging system, with an established reputation for credibility and integrity.

Representation for Greater Niseko

Main winners of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Greater Niseko) will qualify to compete with the region's best at the 18th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final, which will also be held in Bangkok, Thailand on 8 December 2023.

Greater Niseko was represented last year at the 17th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final with Andaru Collection Niseko by Blue Waves Group winning both the Best Completed Housing/Landed Development (Asia) and Best Housing/Landed Interior Design (Asia) awards. Also representing Greater Niseko, HakuVillas by H2 Group won the Best Completed Condo Development (Asia) award.

Established in 2005, the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards continue to reward high-calibre work within the industry, encompassing property development, construction, architecture, interior design, and sustainable building practices. The series initially covered Southeast Asia and has expanded over the years to include the region's dynamic property markets, including Australia, China, and India.

Organised by PropertyGuru Group, the 5th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Greater Niseko) are supported by official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; media partner Powderlife; supporting association Niseko Tourism; and official supervisor HLB.

For more information, email awards@propertyguru.com or visit the official website: https://AsiaPropertyAwards.com.

ABOUT PROPERTYGURU ASIA PROPERTY AWARDS:

PropertyGuru's Asia Property Awards, established in 2005, are the region's most exclusive and prestigious real estate awards programme. The Asia Property Awards are recognised as the ultimate hallmark of excellence in the Asian property sector. Boasting an independent panel of industry experts and trusted supervisors, the Awards have an unparalleled reputation for being credible, ethical, fair and transparent.

In 2023, the Awards series is open to more than a dozen key property markets around the region. The exciting gala events welcome senior industry leaders and top media, as well as reach property agents and consumers via live streaming. Recognising excellence within each Asian market with a variety of categories, including green and sustainable development, each local awards programme will culminate in the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final, which takes place after the PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit during 'PropertyGuru Week' in December 2023.

For more information, please visit https://AsiaPropertyAwards.com

ABOUT PROPERTYGURU GROUP

PropertyGuru is Southeast Asia's leading(1) PropTech company, and the preferred destination for over 41 million property seekers(2) to connect with more than 63,000 agents(3) monthly to find their dream home. PropertyGuru empowers property seekers with more than 3.2 million real estate listings(4), in-depth insights, and solutions that enable them to make confident property decisions across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

PropertyGuru.com.sg was launched in Singapore in 2007 and since then PropertyGuru Group has made the property journey a transparent one for property seekers in Southeast Asia. In the last 15 years, PropertyGuru has grown into a high-growth PropTech company with a robust portfolio of leading property marketplaces across its core markets; award-winning mobile apps; mortgage marketplace, PropertyGuru Finance; and a host of enterprise solutions now under PropertyGuru For Business, including a high-quality developer sales enablement platform, FastKey, DataSense, ValueNet, Awards, events and publications across Asia.

For more information, please visit: https://PropertyGuruGroup.com; PropertyGuru Group on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/propertyguru).

(1) Based on SimilarWeb data between July 2022 and December 2022.
(2) Based on Google Analytics data between July 2022 and December 2022.
(3) Based on data between July 2022 and December 2022.
(4) Based on SimilarWeb data between July 2022 and December 2022.

PropertyGuru Contacts:

General Enquiries:
Richard Allan Aquino, Head of Brand & Marketing Services
M: +66 92 954 4154
E: allan@propertyguru.com

Media & Partnerships:
Piyachanok Raungpaka, Media Relations & Marketing Services Executive
M: +66 94 887 5163
E: piyachanok@propertyguru.com

Sponsorships:
Kanittha Srithongsuk, Regional Manager, Awards Sponsorship
M: +66 93 293 9794
E: kanittha@propertyguru.com

Sales & Nominations:
Nyan Zaw Aung (Jordan), Solutions Manager
M: +66 964 575088
E: jordan@propertyguru.com


NOTE: Use of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards logo is limited to the publication of this article only.

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Hektar REIT’s Portfolio Maintains a Trend of Improvement

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Hektar Asset Management Sdn. Bhd., the Manager of Hektar Real Estate Investment Trust (Hektar REIT), today announced that for the first quarter ended 31 March 2023 (1Q 2023), Hektar REIT registered revenue of RM28.9 million and the Net Property Income (NPI) for the quarter under review stood at RM15.2 million at the back of higher utilities cost driven by the electricity tariff hike due to the adjustments of the Imbalance Cost Pass-Through (ICPT) mechanism, and the increase in minimum wages. Realised Net Income for 1Q 2023 stood at RM9.2 million due to higher finance cost in line with the increase of Overnight Policy Rates (OPR) implemented by Bank Negara Malaysia.


En. Johari Shukri Bin Jamil, Chief Executive Officer of Hektar Asset Management Sdn Bhd


Hektar REIT recorded a robust NPI Margin of 52%, indicating a healthy financial performance throughout the Assets Under Management (AUM). The Gearing Ratio was improved to 44.3% due to prudent financial management.

Hektar REIT's portfolio performance showed considerable improvement and the portfolio occupancy improved to 83.8%. Mahkota Parade & Wetex Parade occupancy rates improved tremendously, recording more than 90% and Kulim Central recorded close to 96%. The Management is also pleased to report a positive rental reversion for this quarter with 78 new or renewed tenancies consisting of 14.0% of the total Net Lettable Area (NLA), equivalent to 287,298 sq. ft. Despite the challenging retail environment, Management remains aggressive in boosting occupancies by focusing on retaining key tenants, reviewing its current mall strategies and working with innovative and creative retailers who are expected to bring the desired impact to the mall.

All malls under the portfolio experienced an uptrend in visitor traffic, showing positive signs of a return in shoppers' confidence at Hektar malls. Overall visitor footfall count for 1Q 2023 increased to 5.6 million, a massive jump of 33% compared to the same quarter in the preceding year. The Management is constantly working on intensifying marketing events & activities and Corporate Social Responsibility related events to serve the communities in the areas where our shopping centres operate.

En. Johari Shukri bin Jamil, Chief Executive Officer of Hektar Asset Management Sdn. Bhd. said: "Retail activities remained strong in this quarter on the back of festivities. Hektar REIT's malls are well-positioned as neighbourhood & community malls. This is where our focus and niche are, hence; we continuously aim at improving the overall tenancy mix & occupancies at the malls. For this year, we are planning for Subang Parade's Repositioning exercise. We believe that remixing of tenancies by bringing in new tenants will complement the existing offerings and will also be able to match the expectations of our loyal patrons. Our focus is on initiatives that will benefit our malls and retailers in the long run through implementing focused strategies that will bring improvements in visitor footfall and encourage higher customer spending, resulting in a continuous positive upward cycle and sustainable returns to our Unitholders. We will continue to sweat our AUM to enhance revenue and NPI. Our committed overall portfolio occupancy is currently 85.4% and will be realised in the subsequent quarters this year. We are in the midst of discussions with prominent & notable tenants to further improve our overall occupancy & tenancy mix."

Hektar REIT: http://www.hektarreit.com/

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Tokenising Tomorrow: CitaDAO Successfully Completes Real Estate Tokenisation, Shaping the Future of Real Estate Ecosystem

SINGAPORE, May 19, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – In a notable step forward, CitaDAO is delighted to share the successful completion of its third Introducing Real Estate On-Chain (IRO) project. This achievement, the tokenisation of a prime industrial property in Singapore's bustling Midview City, exemplifies the company's commitment to broadening access to one of the world's top real estate markets. CitaDAO is proud to be part of the journey towards a new wave of real estate innovation, creating a bridge between traditional and decentralised finance.


CitaDAO IRO Success: 18 Sin Ming Lane, Singapore
Introducing Real Estate On-chain (IRO) – 18 Sin Ming Lane, Singapore


Following the successful IRO, a legal transaction will occur before the Real Estate Tokens can be minted and made available for claiming. For the IRO participants, do follow our Twitter or Discord for the updates.

Key IRO Recap
– Address: 18 Sin Ming Lane, Midview City, Singapore
– IRO Value: US$635,000
– IRO Date: April 18, 2023, to May 16, 2023

Solving liquidity challenges

At CitaDAO, one of our core missions has always been to address the liquidity challenge that has long been a plague in the real estate industry. Our previous IRO, 20SML0253SG, has been a testament to our success in achieving this mission. Through the tokenisation of a prime industrial property in Singapore, one of the most vibrant real estate markets in the world, we've demonstrated the immense value that can be unlocked when real estate is tokenised. Not only did we create a more valuable asset by democratising access to this premium property, but we also ensured constant liquidity in the market by leveraging the concentrated liquidity pool of Uniswap v3. This was evidenced by the $290,000 (46% of the real estate value) in Total Value Locked in the 20SML0253SG RET, making secondary transactions more convenient for all token holders – proving that our vision for making a liquid real estate market a tangible reality was successfully accomplished.

In offering a vibrant secondary market for the RET, CitaDAO creates an opportunity for RET holders to boost their returns by assuming the role of market makers. By adding liquidity to the pool, they can earn liquidity provider rewards passively, a benefit that mirrors the traditional real estate investments.

A Catalyst for DeFi Expansion

The successful tokenisation efforts by CitaDAO have laid the groundwork for a significant growth catalyst for the DeFi sector. By unlocking new capital streams from yield-producing assets, the platform invites new users and capital into the DeFi space, consequently generating innovative opportunities and applications.

Conclusion

CitaDAO firmly believes that tokenising real-world assets is a critical driver for the mainstream adoption of DeFi. If you're intrigued by the process, we invite you to experience the future of real estate through CitaDAO's innovative IRO process and look forward to our next IRO – 15 West Halkin Street.

Contact Information:
Alex C
Marketing Manager
press@citadao.io

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Up to 10.5% increase in GDP possible in some countries with housing improvements in informal settlements, new Habitat for Humanity and IIED report finds

MANILA, Philippines, May 16, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Improving housing at a large scale in slums and other informal settlements can have substantial economic and human development gains, according to a first-of-its kind report released by Habitat for Humanity and its research partner, the International Institute for Environment and Development, or IIED. The report supports the launch of Habitat for Humanity’s five-year campaign, Home Equals, seeking policy changes at the local, national and global levels to increase equitable access to adequate housing in informal settlements.

DHAKA, BANGLADESH – A rainstorm drenches the community in the Duaripara informal settlement in Dhaka as a resident weaves through its alleys. Beginning in July, Dhaka endures three months of rain. Drainage is poor in informal settlements and many homes are not sealed from weather so when it rains water penetrates into the homes. Photo credit: Habitat for Humanity International/ Raymond McCrea Jonesption
DHAKA, BANGLADESH – Beguntila informal settlement in Dhaka. The Beguntila slum began around 1999 and has about 700 homes currently. Photo credit: Habitat for Humanity International/ Raymond McCrea JonesCaption

“The Asia-Pacific region is home to the largest concentration of people experiencing urban poverty, with one third of urban dwellers living in informal settlements or slum-like conditions. The number will only grow bigger and the need for adequate housing more urgent as urbanization continues, driven by internal rural-to-urban migration—particularly of people from poorer backgrounds seeking economic opportunities in cities,” said Luis Noda, vice-president for Asia-Pacific, Habitat for Humanity International.

The report found that gross domestic product and income per capita could increase by as much as 10.5% in some countries. The resulting increase in living standards among residents of informal settlements, taken as a whole, is likely to exceed the cost of improving informal settlements in many countries.

Other startling findings include:

  • An increase of up to 4% in life expectancy in some countries around the world, adding an average of 2.4 years of life
  • More than 730,000 preventable deaths could be avoided annually—more than could be saved by eradicating malaria globally
  • An increase of as much as 28% in the expected years of schooling in some countries

The report used a unique modeling methodology, which combines a review of more than 130 articles and reports with 72 indicators across 102 low- and middle-income countries. The model could not generate projections for specific countries on their own, so the researchers grouped countries into four typologies. Assuming the impacts in a country reflect those of the country type it is most similar to, improving housing in informal settlements in some Asia-Pacific countries could result in:

  • An increase in GDP of up to 7.25% in countries such as Bangladesh, by as much as 3.3% in countries such as Fiji, and up to 10.5% in countries such as Myanmar
  • An increase in life expectancy rate of up to 1.7% in countries such as Cambodia and Nepal, and as much as 1.2% in countries such as Thailand
  • Up to a one-year increase in the mean years of schooling for countries such as India and Indonesia, and 1.35 years in countries such as the Philippines

At the global level, Habitat for Humanity is calling on G7 member states — set to meet this weekend in Hiroshima, Japan — to recognize housing as a critical lever for development progress and commit to addressing housing needs in informal settlements as a way to advance international development priorities in areas such as economic growth, health and education.

Noda added, “The report provides empirical evidence that adequate housing is a powerful catalyst for well-being and sustainability. It makes clear that we must invest intentionally to ensure that residents of informal settlements have access to adequate housing. As Habitat for Humanity launches the Home Equals campaign, we are eager to work hand-in-hand with residents of informal settlements, civil society organizations, local and national governments, and other stakeholders to improve, through policy change, the lives of 15 million people living in informal settlements.”

More than half of Habitat’s network, including 11 entities based in the Asia-Pacific, are working actively on the campaign. Habitat Australia will advocate with the government to adopt policies aimed at addressing the lack of adequate housing for informal settlement dwellers across the region. In Nepal, Habitat will work to integrate policies and guidelines so residents of informal settlements can equitably access land rights through an information campaign, dialogue between the local government and families and the establishment of a land support service center. Habitat Indonesia will help local governments identify funding resources to implement rehabilitation programs for inhabitable housing, to build new houses and explore funding mechanisms between governments and NGOs for housing programming. In Vietnam, Habitat will work with local partners to implement sustainable policy solutions that will enable Vietnamese returnees from Cambodia to have a secure home.

About Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in U.S.A. Since its founding in 1976, the housing organization has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. In the Asia-Pacific region since 1983, Habitat for Humanity has supported millions of people to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org/asiapacific.

For further information, please contact Ms. Michele Soh, MSoh@habitat.org, +65 9233 1544. Photos, with captions and photographer credits, are available in this folder. The Home Equals campaign video is available to download or to watch on Habitat’s YouTube channel. Video b-roll is available upon request.



Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com