Singapore to be Asia's most competitive City in 2025?

For a moment I thought this ranking is among cities globally but when it is only Asia, it doesn't seem too impressive after all. 2025 is about 12 years away. 12 years is a long time. I thought Singapore is already the most competitive city in Asia?

However, what is impressive is that Singapore will be the 3rd most competitive city in 2025. 

Ballots for Units in Iskandar's Afiniti condo

I just read that there's a ballot for the Afiniti Residences. 1570 people had registered for 147 units. Eventually 200 interested buyers showed up for 88 available units. The Afiniti is 129 year leasehold next to Legoland and developed by Pulau Indah Ventures, a joint venture firm between Temasek Holdings and Khazanah Nasional (The temasek Equivalent in malaysia). It probably has alot to do with this reason that many are interested.

There is a also a wellness center, a 33 storey Somerset Medini Iskandar service apartment, corporate training centre and retail. I am pretty sure the Somerset service apartment will do well due to the Legoland factor and the proximity to Gleneagles Medini Hospital. Both of which has potential to get many short term stayers.

That means now there will be 2 Somerset presence in the same region. One is in Puteri Harbour and the other at Medini. It appears that Ascott is optimistic about the Iskandar. Well, that optimism still appears to be centered around the hospitality sector. As for other commercial activities, it is still too early to tell.

The price is about RM850-RM1000psf onwards. On the surface it appears to be still low considering the launched price (above RM1000 psf) of other properties so far in the same region. However, this Afiniti is a 129 years leasehold so the comparison would be inaccurate. 

Matex Development in JB. What's happening?

What's the status of Matex development so far? After booking fees paid 6-7 months ago, nothing is heard of this project. You keep getting those NS global agents asking you to sign up for bank loans but when you ask them for the status, they can't really tell you. They can only say no news from the developer. Well, they should jolly well go find out. That repeat month after month which is totally unprofessional. Anyone got the same experience? Is there something we should be worried about?

Anyway, I have put up a poll on their service. Please feel free to vote.

Singapore to overtake Switzerland as tax haven by 2020

To understand how much money is parked in Singapore, this CNN article will give a good idea. Singapore has $550 billion assets under management as of 2011 whereas Switzerland has $2.8 trillion. This may change in 2020 where Singapore is likely to overtake Switzerland. This makes sense as we not only attract the Americans and Europeans but also the Asians. The wealthy asians includes the chinese, indonesians and indians. They would prefer somewhere nearer to Asia than somewhere half way round the world. Well, good future for your children to study investment, banking or wealth management.