Dec 11, 2009
China out of crisis
BEIJING - CHINA said on Friday it had ended a year-long bout of inflation in November while factory output picked up as the world's third largest economy powered ahead following the global crisis.
The nation's consumer price index, the main gauge of inflation, rose 0.6 per cent year on year in November, the first increase since January, official data showed.
'The mild rise in prices during economic recovery is actually conducive to economic growth and job creation,' Sheng Laiyun, spokesman for the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), told a news conference. 'Currently there is still no inflationary pressure.'
The increase was due in part to Beijing's efforts to raise state-controlled prices for fuel, electricity and water to better reflect market forces. Prices also likely rose last month because early snowstorms in northern and central China destroyed crops and disrupted transport, driving up the cost of food.
China last year unveiled a four-trillion-yuan (S$814 billion) stimulus package along with big tax breaks to boost consumer spending as the global crisis hit its key export markets in the United States and Europe.
Industrial output, which shows activity in the millions of factories and workshops around the country, expanded 19.2 per cent in November from a year ago, up from 16.1 per cent in October. But exports unexpectedly fell 1.2 per cent in November. -- AFP
Friday, December 11, 2009
ST : Check your windows
Dec 11, 2009
Check your windows
Every year, more than 40 windows fall from high-rise buildings and the number of cases have risen in the last two years. -- ST PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW
WATCH out! More windows are falling from high-rise blocks in Singapore.
Every year, more than 40 windows fall from such buildings and the number of cases have risen in the last two years, according to the figures from the Building and Construction Authority. These include casement type windows, sliding windows, louvres and even fixed glass windows.
Since the window retrofitting exercise requiring aluminum rivets to be replaced with stainless steel ones in casement windows ended in September 2005, the number of fallen casement windows has reduced significantly - from 95 cases in 2005 to about 30 a year.
But, there is an increase in the number of fallen sliding windows this year - up by 10 cases from 16 cases in 2008, said BCA and the Housing Board in a joint statement on Friday. 'The causes of fallen sliding windows were mainly due to lack of maintenance,' they said.
To ensure that sliding windows are not dislodged easily, BCA and HDB advise homeowners to carry out regular maintenance to these windows. Safety features such as angle strip and safety stopper should also be installed for sliding windows, as a precautionary measure.
Under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act, it is the owner's and/or tenant's responsibility to maintain their windows regularly and properly.
Should a window fall due to lack of maintenance, they can face a maximum fine of S$10,000 and/or jail term of up to one year.
If any fallen casement window is found with aluminum rivets, they can also face a penalty of up to S$5,000 and/or jail term of up to six months, for failing to retrofit the window with stainless steel rivets.
Tips on maintaining windows
- Replace aluminum rivets and screws with stainless steel ones
-Check, clean and lubricate joints/moveable parts regularly, at least twice a year
-Open and close the window several times after lubrication
-Check the glass panes for cracks or loose panes
-Ensure that moveable parts are secured and loose screws are tightened
For sliding windows
- Check that safety stopper is in place
- Check that angle strip is in place
- Clean the track and ensure window panels can slide smoothly
Check your windows
Every year, more than 40 windows fall from high-rise buildings and the number of cases have risen in the last two years. -- ST PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW
WATCH out! More windows are falling from high-rise blocks in Singapore.
Every year, more than 40 windows fall from such buildings and the number of cases have risen in the last two years, according to the figures from the Building and Construction Authority. These include casement type windows, sliding windows, louvres and even fixed glass windows.
Since the window retrofitting exercise requiring aluminum rivets to be replaced with stainless steel ones in casement windows ended in September 2005, the number of fallen casement windows has reduced significantly - from 95 cases in 2005 to about 30 a year.
But, there is an increase in the number of fallen sliding windows this year - up by 10 cases from 16 cases in 2008, said BCA and the Housing Board in a joint statement on Friday. 'The causes of fallen sliding windows were mainly due to lack of maintenance,' they said.
To ensure that sliding windows are not dislodged easily, BCA and HDB advise homeowners to carry out regular maintenance to these windows. Safety features such as angle strip and safety stopper should also be installed for sliding windows, as a precautionary measure.
Under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act, it is the owner's and/or tenant's responsibility to maintain their windows regularly and properly.
Should a window fall due to lack of maintenance, they can face a maximum fine of S$10,000 and/or jail term of up to one year.
If any fallen casement window is found with aluminum rivets, they can also face a penalty of up to S$5,000 and/or jail term of up to six months, for failing to retrofit the window with stainless steel rivets.
Tips on maintaining windows
- Replace aluminum rivets and screws with stainless steel ones
-Check, clean and lubricate joints/moveable parts regularly, at least twice a year
-Open and close the window several times after lubrication
-Check the glass panes for cracks or loose panes
-Ensure that moveable parts are secured and loose screws are tightened
For sliding windows
- Check that safety stopper is in place
- Check that angle strip is in place
- Clean the track and ensure window panels can slide smoothly
ST : Inflation could hit 4%
Dec 11, 2009
Inflation could hit 4%
By Fiona Chan
INFLATION could hit a high of 4 per cent in the next six months on account of the surge in asset prices here, according to a new report by HSBC.
It said investors feeling rich from the stock market rally are likely to spend more, raising demand - and prices - for goods and services.
At the same time, a continued increase in property prices will also lead directly to a rise in inflation.
This will help boost the consumer price index - the key indicator of inflation here - next year, said HSBC economist Robert Prior-Wandesforde.
He has raised his inflation forecast for next year to 2.9 per cent from 2.5 per cent previously, with inflation expected to peak at about 4 per cent probably in the second quarter of next year.
Investors who have directly made money from shares will naturally spend more, helping fuel inflation, but even people who do not buy shares will feel the 'confidence effects', said Mr Prior-Wandesforde.
Inflation could hit 4%
By Fiona Chan
INFLATION could hit a high of 4 per cent in the next six months on account of the surge in asset prices here, according to a new report by HSBC.
It said investors feeling rich from the stock market rally are likely to spend more, raising demand - and prices - for goods and services.
At the same time, a continued increase in property prices will also lead directly to a rise in inflation.
This will help boost the consumer price index - the key indicator of inflation here - next year, said HSBC economist Robert Prior-Wandesforde.
He has raised his inflation forecast for next year to 2.9 per cent from 2.5 per cent previously, with inflation expected to peak at about 4 per cent probably in the second quarter of next year.
Investors who have directly made money from shares will naturally spend more, helping fuel inflation, but even people who do not buy shares will feel the 'confidence effects', said Mr Prior-Wandesforde.
HDB : Tender Results - Sale of State Land Parcel Jurong West S7 at Westwood Avenue
Tender Results - Sale of State Land Parcel Jurong West S7 at Westwood Avenue for Landed Housing Development Under The Reserve List of GLS Programme
The Housing & Development Board (HDB) launched the sale of the Land Parcel Jurong West S7 at Westwood Avenue on 9 Nov 09.
2 The details of the land parcel:
Location Westwood Avenue (152KB)
Land Area 14,098.9 sq m
Proposed Development Landed Housing
Lease Term 99 years
Minimum Offer Price S$15,000,000
3 The site has been awarded to Chappelis Pte Ltd, at the tender price of S$38,500,000 on 10 Dec 09. The details of the tender results can also be viewed at http://www.hdb.gov.sg/hdblandsales.
Date Issued : 10 Dec 2009
The Housing & Development Board (HDB) launched the sale of the Land Parcel Jurong West S7 at Westwood Avenue on 9 Nov 09.
2 The details of the land parcel:
Location Westwood Avenue (152KB)
Land Area 14,098.9 sq m
Proposed Development Landed Housing
Lease Term 99 years
Minimum Offer Price S$15,000,000
3 The site has been awarded to Chappelis Pte Ltd, at the tender price of S$38,500,000 on 10 Dec 09. The details of the tender results can also be viewed at http://www.hdb.gov.sg/hdblandsales.
Date Issued : 10 Dec 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
