Laos has recorded 722 cases of Covid-19 across the country today.
Luang Prabang’s Reconstructed Island Ready for New Year Celebrations
A project to reconstruct the sacred Moung Khoun Island in Chomphet District, Luang Prabang, has been completed in time for Lao New Year celebrations.
Asia Pacific Transaction Volumes Expected to Record Double-Digit Volume Growth in 2022 and 2023
- Global transaction activity hit a new record level in 2021
- Greater China 2021 investment volume up 40% on 2020 performance
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 15 March 2022 – Global real estate market recovery is expected to hit the fast lane, with Q4 2021 volumes driving an annual increase of 55%. According to Cushman & Wakefield’s The Signal Report: Global Guide to CRE Investing In 2022, demand will be just as strong this year, and while finding the right opportunities will remain an issue, activity in the first half of the year is expected to exceed 2021, with a 3% uplift forecast for the year overall. Asia Pacific has been leading the recovery to date, with an earlier return of growth and pre-pandemic levels of investment activity in most markets. This momentum looks set to remain despite a COVID-led easing in Q1, and it will be strengthened by a deeper and wider level of occupier demand later in the year.
Greater China Investment Landscape
Across Greater China, investment transactions in 2021 totaled over RMB380 billion (US$60 billion), approximately 40% above the 2020 volume. Despite the challenging situation in Hong Kong, the city witnessed a return to positive leasing absorption over the second half of 2021, with the second highest investment volume in Greater China at more than HKD64.3 billion (US$8.2 billion) for the year, behind only Shanghai’s total of RMB106 billion (US$16.8 billion). In the mainland market, despite ongoing travel restrictions, inbound investment managed to command an impressive 28% share of the total transaction volume.
“We’ve seen alternative asset classes, such as logistics, data center, multi-family and life science facilities in high demand in the last two years due to the impact of the pandemic. However, with expected relaxations of travel restrictions in various countries and cities, we now start to see office building transactions coming back to the market. Especially, office end-users taking the opportunity to acquire their own office buildings to meet their long-term occupational needs in China. We forecast that this trend may spill over to Hong Kong as mainland China corporations start to look for office space once the border is reopened,” said Francis Li, International Director and Head of Capital Markets, Greater China, Cushman & Wakefield.
Greater China Office Market Dynamics
“Total net absorption of prime office premises in Greater China markets in 2021 reached an annual record of 5.3 million square meters,” added James Shepherd, Head of Business Development Services, Greater China, Cushman & Wakefield. “This impressive ramp up in leasing activity, commencing a year and a half ago and running through 2021, pushed the Greater China office market back into a commanding position in terms of leasing activity in Asia Pacific. Looking ahead, given the short lease terms of typically three years prevalent in China, we should be on the lookout for another boom in activity in two to three years’ time, as those lease agreements signed during the boom period of the last one and a half years come up for expiry.”
Asia Pacific Outlook
Transaction activity followed the earlier economic recovery of the APAC region, with 2021 investment volume exceeding pre-Covid levels following a comparatively mild 10% drop in 2020. This momentum will be maintained with both 2022 and 2023 expected to record double-digit volume growth as the economic recovery invigorates the occupier sector. Availability of stock is a potential headwind facing investors, but with interest rate increases expected to be gradual, this should maintain investor confidence.
“Asia Pacific enters 2022 with strong underlying momentum but greater than expected short-term headwinds from the spread of Omicron. However, the momentum will assert itself in Q2, building upon the region’s re-emergence from prolonged lockdowns,” said Dr. Dominic Brown, Head of Insight & Analysis, Asia Pacific at Cushman & Wakefield. “The regional economy will regain the top spot in terms of the pace of economic growth in the second half of 2022, extending into 2023. Occupier markets are therefore forecast to strengthen in the year ahead, with demand more widely spread across the region.”
Global Investment Landscape
“Uncertainty will remain high due to the virus, inflation, and geopolitical tensions, but most indicators point to a steady improvement in confidence at a social and business level globally as 2022 progresses. This will lead to a rising cycle of performance for most markets despite differing structural headwinds,” said David Bitner, Head of Capital Markets Insights, Global Research at Cushman & Wakefield.
The virus will continue to dominate in early 2022, but increased global immunity and greater knowledge about the virus will allow for a slow improvement and for return-to-work strategies to get back on course. This suggests better economic growth before the summer, which will feed occupier and investor confidence, though this could be undercut by rate volatility and geopolitical risk. In the second half of 2022, improving economic growth will hopefully be accompanied by better news on inflation and COVID-19. With government subsidies being reduced, the private sector will take over as the driver of expansion, and occupier markets will grow more confident.
Note: For more investor insights, please refer to Cushman & Wakefield’s The Signal Report: Global Guide to CRE Investing In 2022.
Please download the image here.
About Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global real estate services firm that delivers exceptional value for real estate occupiers and owners. Cushman & Wakefield is among the largest real estate services firms with approximately 50,000 employees in over 400 offices and 60 countries. Across Greater China, 22 offices are servicing the local market. The company won four of the top awards in the Euromoney Survey 2017, 2018 and 2020 in the categories of Overall, Agency Letting/Sales, Valuation and Research in China. In 2021, the firm had revenue of $9.4 billion across core services of property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets, valuation and other services. To learn more, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.hk or follow us on LinkedIn (
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cushman-&-wakefield-greater-china).
#Cushman&Wakefield
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Neuron Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre Introduces the Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Training Method
Dynamic neuromuscular stabilization is an innovative trend in rehabilitation therapy and sports training. It is a set of neurodevelopmental system-based assessments and remodeling of the motor system invented by Professor Pavel Kolar of the Prague School. The professional physiotherapists of the ‘Rehabilitation Square’ also have expertise in sports physiotherapy training.
Through dynamic analysis and nervous system tests, physiotherapists analyze and explore the large and small muscles with exertion problems, to find the roots of the problem. This method can effectively prevent and treat neuromuscular pain, improve the state of athletes, correct and improve exercise postures through exercise therapy.
As the epidemic is raging, the public spends most of their time at home. Given this, ‘Rehabilitation Square’ will regularly provide several mild to moderate training for their customers in addition to the introduction of new physiotherapy techniques. By doing so, customers can conveniently participate in exercises at home. Stretching exercises can relieve neck and arm pain from long-term exposure to electronic products, meanwhile strengthening the body. Furthermore, the ‘Rehabilitation Workshop’ also provides effective home treatment and inquiries for patients who suffer from “injection site pain” after vaccination.
Moreover, the Rehabilitation Workshop also provides on-site physiotherapy services and on-site physiotherapy consultation services to help patients who need regular physiotherapy to begin the road to recovery.
About Neuron Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre
Neuron Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre a Hong Kong physiotherapy platform that integrates Chinese and Western medical concepts as a consultation direction for the treatment of various pain disorders and diseases, such as frozen shoulders, and
high & low shoulders. In physiotherapy, exercise therapy is also a commonly used method. Rehabilitation Square also provides exercise therapy such as sports massage and stretching therapy. All physiotherapists and sports physiotherapists have internationally recognized professional qualifications.
#Neuron
Government of Laos May Move to Weekly Fuel Price Adjustments
The government of Laos may begin making fuel price adjustments every five to seven days, rather than every two weeks.
Uflowershop Offered 2 Government-approved Covid-19 Rapid Test Kits
The fifth wave pandemic of Covid-19 keeps rising and has almost smashed all kinds of business in the city. “Due to the adverse situation, a lot of orders for flowers have to be suspended or rescheduled”, the founder of Uflowershop Jason said.
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee (26/2/2022) announced that positive results from Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for Covid-19 would be accepted as a confirmed case with Covid-19 and citizens could report their results online. For the sake of safety, many citizens had already purchased RAT Kits to have a rapid tests when it is necessary.
In co-operation with and authorized by Lepu Medical, Uflowershop is pleased to offer a packet of RAT kits (5 sets) at $165, half the original price $330. Beginning from 8 March 2022 in the afternoon, orders can be made from the website of Uflowershop.
In order to provide one more choice for citizens, Uflowershop has also ordered one batch of RAP kits from Guangdong Hecin Ind., which is also among the seven brands that are already recognized by the HKSAR government. The Hecin RAP kits will be sold at the same price as Lepu RAP kits.
Lepu Medical RAT kits
Lepu Medical is one of the top 10 medical companies listed on the EGM in 2009. The SARS-Cov-2 antigen self-test kits have undergone clinical studies in Germany and approved by EU (CE0197), Lepu RAT is able to detect virues including Omicron and Delta with 95.9% accuracy in 15 minutes with an easy test procedure.
Hecin RAT kits
Hecin RAT Kits is among the seven brand names RAT kits approved by the government of HKSAR and is already being widely used by hospital authorities, private hospitals, government organizations and private organization sectors. The accuracy is 97.63% in 15 minutes with an easy test procedure. Sensitivity is more than 80% while specificity is more than 97%.
Please order online at uflowershop.com. The RAT kits will be delivered by SF Express or Gogovan.
#Uflowershop
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Tobias Bartz becomes the new CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of the Rhenus Group
The Supervisory Board of Rhenus SE & Co. KG is appointing Tobias Bartz as CEO and Chairman of the Management Board with effect from 1 April 2022. Klemens Rethmann, who was born in 1965, is handing over this position, which he has held since 2008, on 31 March 2022. “We’re settling the issue of succession at an early stage in order to continue the positive developments at Rhenus. We have complete confidence that Tobias Bartz will achieve this. He has a wealth of international experience, first-class networks and is the best choice to lead Rhenus into a good future,” says Dr Marco Schröter, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Rhenus SE & Co. KG. Klemens Rethmann, who will concentrate on his tasks on the Executive Board of RETHMANN SE in future, comments, “Tobias and I have worked very closely and successfully together since my early days in the Rhenus Group. In all these years, we’ve achieved a great deal together with all the members of the Rhenus family. We respect and trust each other and I’m therefore proud to be able to name him as my successor.”
Tobias Bartz, who was born in 1977, began his professional career as a management trainee at Rhenus in 2005. He has provided evidence of his leadership skills in various international settings within the Rhenus Group since that time. Among other things, he was responsible for the Rhenus Road Freight business in France and Spain. He was appointed a member of the Rhenus Management Board in 2015 and masterminded the growth of the Air & Ocean division from Singapore for three years, before he returned to Germany in 2018. He will retain his management position within this division alongside his appointment as CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of the Rhenus Group. Tobias Bartz already has a clear objective in mind. “We will strongly focus on further growth as well as green and digital transformation for the Rhenus Group during the next few years too. We’ll continue to expand our global network during this time.”
About Rhenus
The Rhenus Group is one of the leading logistics specialists with global business operations and annual turnover amounting to EUR 7.0 billion. 37,500 employees work at 970 business sites and develop innovative solutions along the complete supply chain. Whether providing transport, warehousing, customs clearance or value-added services, the family-owned business pools its operations in various business units where the needs of customers are the major focus at all times.
#Rhenus
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Hundreds Of Civil Society Organisations And World Leaders Demand An End To Toxic Mercurycontaining Lighting
The organisations are calling for a global phase-out of mercury containing fluorescent light products by 2025, in line with a proposed amendment submitted by the African region to the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
As lighting markets in wealthy countries shift to clean LED lighting, less-regulated markets may experience “environmental dumping” of old fluorescent technologies. Many countries in the global North have passed or are considering policies that will ban the sale of mercury-laden, inefficient lighting products in their domestic markets, however they would still allow domestic manufacture and export to less developed and emerging markets.
The import of fluorescents puts the public and environmental health of those countries at unnecessary risk. The proposed amendment by the African region would ensure a global phase-out of fluorescent lighting, eliminating fluorescent lighting at the source by ending the manufacture, export and import of mercury-based lighting products.
The cumulative (2025-2050) global benefits of the African Lighting Amendment would be significant:
- Eliminate 232 tonnes of mercury pollution from the environment, both from the light bulbs themselves and from avoided mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants;
- Reduce global electricity use by 3%;
- Avoid 3.5 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions cumulatively between 2025-2050; equivalent to removing all passenger cars globally from the road for a whole year; and
- Save US$1 trillion on electricity bills
Despite significant progress to reduce mercury, the Minamata Convention includes special exemptions for mercury-based fluorescent lighting products. While these fluorescent exemptions may have been necessary in 2013 when the Convention was drafted, lighting technology has moved on rapidly – and today, the accessibility and affordability of mercury-free LED retrofit lamps makes the fluorescent lamp exemption unnecessary.
The signatories, representing climate and environment advocates, healthcare networks, youth groups, lighting industry representatives and energy experts from across the world are calling for an end to the sale of toxic, polluting lighting products to protect both people and the planet.
“Ending exemptions for mercury-added fluorescent lighting at COP4.2 of the Minamata Convention on Mercury on March 21 and removing 3.5GT of carbon dioxide emissions between 2025-2050 is the quickest win and lowest hanging fruit for climate mitigation,” said Nithi Nesadurai, Director and Regional Coordinator, Climate Action Network Southeast Asia during a media advisory on March 14. “It will be beneficial from the cost, health and environmental perspectives as well. It has to be done now; there is no time to lose.”
The letter comes as research from the Clean Lighting Coalition and partners demonstrate the health risks of mercury in lighting – particularly to vulnerable groups like developing fetuses, babies, and children; workers who handle fluorescent lamps at manufacturing and recycling facilities, as well as maintenance workers in commercial and institutional buildings; and communities of color and people living in low-income neighborhoods who may be chronically exposed to a combination of toxic substances, including mercury.
The letter underscores that the phase-out of fluorescents must be a coordinated global effort. From 21-25 March 2022, the Minamata Convention will host the fourth Conference of Parties (COP4). To enter into effect, the amendment must be passed with a majority consensus of the 137 Parties (countries) to the Convention.
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
- The Minamata Convention is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury – a neurotoxin that can cause harmful and long-term health effects. The Convention launched in 2013 with the goal to “Make Mercury History” by eliminating the use of mercury in products and processes worldwide. Major highlights include a ban on new mercury mines and phase-out of existing ones, control measures on emissions to air and on releases to land and water, and the regulation of the informal sector of artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Currently, 137 parties (countries) have ratified the Convention.
- Please read the full open letter and full list of signatories here.
About the Climate Action Network
The Climate Action Network (CAN) is the world’s largest climate network made up of over 1,500 civil society organisations in over 130 countries, together fighting the climate crisis. To learn more, visit https
://
climatenetwork
.
org
/.
About the Clean Lighting Coalition
The Clean Lighting Coalition is a global partnership coordinated by CLASP
to capture the health and environmental benefits of eliminating mercury-based lighting. To learn more, visit
www
.
cleanlightingcoalition
.
org
and follow the Coalition on
Twitter
,
Facebook
, and
LinkedIn
.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.