〈The Standard, Jan 25, 2025〉The Lands Department has received six bids for a site in Sha Tin after its tender closed at noon.
CK Asset (1113), Sun Hung Kai Properties (0016), Sino Land (0083), China Overseas Land & Investment (0688), and K&K Property were said to be among the developers who submitted offers.
The site, Sha Tin Town Lot No 651, has an area of about 3,600 square meters, with an attainable gross floor area maxing out at 18,000 sq m.
Market valuation for the plot ranges from HK$540 million to HK$680 million, or HK$2,800 to HK$3,500 per square foot.
〈Hong Kong Business, Jan 24, 2025〉The executive board of the IMF recommended raising taxes in Hong Kong in order to meet the city’s aging-related and investment spending needs.
Suggestions include further increases to the progressivity of personal income taxes, with higher rates for top earners; raising excise taxes; introducing a VAT; and taxes on capital gains.
It also recommended that Hong Kong introduce taxes on dividends, common in other international financial centers.
“Hong Kong SAR’s low-tax regime has helped the economy’s competitiveness in recent decades, but a transition to a higher and broader tax revenue base is needed to maintain the territory’s balanced budget target and underpin the territory’s macro-financial resilience,” the IMF executive board said in a 23 January 2025 report, based on recently concluded discussions with authorities.
〈Asian Post, Jan 23, 2025〉Hong Kong's rental housing market showed stable growth with average rental prices increasing by 5.8% last 2024, according to Colife.
The most popular locations for tenants are areas located along the blue metro line including Sai Ying Pun, Sheung Wan, Central, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, and Happy Valley.
The main university of Hong Kong (HKU) being within the vicinity also makes these areas popular amongst students looking for housing.
Price remains a top factor for renters when choosing. On average, the rental budget is around $14,000 and most tenants prefer fully furnished apartments.
〈Hong Kong Business, Jan 22, 2025〉Only 29% of Hongkongers feel optimistic about the upcoming year, a stark difference from the 51% of Singaporeans sharing the sentiment, according to a survey by MDRi.
In 2025, Hong Kong’s gross domestic product growth is projected to decline to 2%, hindered by high interest rates and ongoing trade tensions, particularly with the United States
With this, 25% of Hongkongers expressed doubts about achieving their personal goals in the coming year whereas 57% of Singaporeans feel confident regarding the matter.
Further, only 34% of Hong Kong residents feel content in their daily lives compared to 55% of Singaporeans.
〈RTHK News, Jan 21, 2025〉US President Donald Trump pledged on Tuesday to hit the European Union with tariffs, adding that a 10 percent duty on Chinese imports could also come as soon as February 1.
Trump voiced his latest tariff threats in remarks to reporters at the White House a day after taking office.
"They treat us very, very badly. So they're going to be in for tariffs," Trump said of the EU. "You can't get fairness unless you do that."
A day earlier, Trump accused the bloc of not importing enough American products, saying he would "straighten that out" by imposing duties or by urging for more oil and gas purchases.
