S'pore property market 'third most transparent in Asia-Pacific'

SINGAPORE is ranked the third most transparent property market in Asia-Pacific, according to a key industry index.

The league table places Singapore at 16th worldwide, two spots ahead of Hong Kong but behind regional rivals Australia, ranked first, and New Zealand at fourth.

More transparent market conditions allow for quicker investment deals between one foreign investor and another, it said.

The index, which was started in 1999 and is updated every two years, covers all property sectors, though the bulk comprises commercial real estate.

It assessed 81 markets under five categories - performance measurement, market fundamentals, listed vehicles, legal and regulatory environment and the transaction process.

Jones Lang LaSalle's South-east Asia research head, Dr Chua Yang Liang, said the index showed that Singapore's strength lies in its regulatory and legal environment.

'The transparency of our regulatory framework supported the influx of US$4.7 billion (S$6.4 billion), which is more than half of the total dollar value investments, into the commercial asset market during the peak in 2007,' he said.

Temasek scores perfect 10 on SWF transperency index

Temasek Holdings has kept its position as one of the world's most transparent sovereign wealth funds (SWFs).

Temasek Holdings scored 10 out of 10 on the latest Linaburg-Maduell Transparency Index, published quarterly by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute in California.

There are 10 principles in the index, including providing up-to-date, independently audited annual reports; disclosing a total portfolio market value, returns and management compensation; and offering guidelines for ethical standards and investment policies.

Source: The Straits Times (9 Nov 2009)