戴德梁行：今日全球楼市速览(2010.04.01)

6. 太古地產續在灣仔擴展版圖；資料顯示灣仔皇后大道東東曦大廈及樂滿大廈多層舖位，合共以2.66億元成交，市場預期買家為太古地產，購入舖位後，可令集團活化該地段，重整租戶組合。據土地註冊處資料顯示，灣仔皇后大道東18號東曦大廈地下A舖，以1.13億元成交，該舖由傢俬店承租，面積約4,000平方呎。此外，同地段29至31號樂滿大廈1樓A至D舖，以9,065萬元成交。翻查資料，兩項物業均由Crossfield Investments Limited購入，該公司董事包括陳詠兒及葉麗珍。事實上，有關公司日前以6,170萬元，購入樂滿大廈2樓商場部分及3樓平台，3項物業合共以2.66億元易手。惟太古方面對收購事宜，不作評論。（經濟日報）

Mainland China

1.Yangshan Deep Water Port officials said that the port handled 1,752 container ships of international routes during the 1st quarter of this year, a 5.9% rise compared with 2009. (Shanghai Daily).

2. In a further bid to steady China's racing property market, the definition of "1st home buyers" eligible for a preferential purchase tax was clarified at state level. Only genuine 1st timers who buy homes defined as "ordinary housing of no larger than 90 sq m" will receive cuts in deed taxes, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation said in a joint statement. The deed-tax rate varies from city to city in China. In Shanghai, a 1% rate on ordinary home purchases for 1st time buyers has applied since the start of this year, while the standard rate is 1.5%. Buyers receive the rate if they have a certificate from the city's real estate trading centre saying they're genuine 1st timers. In Shanghai, those listed as a joint buyer for parents' homes but who have never purchased their own qualify for the preferential rate. However, according to the clarification posted on the ministry's Website, these buyers do not qualify. (Shanghai Daily).

3. In Shanghai, new property transactions rose above the 1,000-unit mark for the 4th consecutive day yesterday as the market started to pick up strength amid increased supply. As of 8 pm yesterday, 1,141 units of new properties, mainly houses, were sold across the city, extending a spree that began on Sunday when 1,325 new units changed hands, according to www.fangdi.com.cn, the city's official Website tracking property deals. On Monday, daily transaction volume of new properties surged to 1,801 units in Shanghai, the highest level in 31 months. On Tuesday, the number fell to 1,032 units. "Many real estate developers started to launch their projects onto the market in bigger volumes since the 2nd half of Mar as demand from buyers is recovering," said Xue Jianxiong, an analyst at China Real Estate Information Corporation, a property information, consulting and online services provider. Supply of new homes, excluding those designated for relocated residents under urban redevelopment plans, surged to 208,000 sq m and 370,000 sq m in the city during the 3rd and 4th week of Mar. This compares to 39,000 sq m and 54,000 sq m in the 1st and 2nd week, according to Shanghai Uwin Real Estate Information Services Co. (Shanghai Daily).

4. Ernst & Young – will at least double its advisory team in 1 to 2 years to tap into a rising Chinese economy, a senior partner said in Shanghai, adding that its revenue will also rise at least as much. The accounting firm has 800 employees in its advisory business in 7 offices in China, including Hong Kong and Taiwan. (Shanghai Daily).