


As reported in The Star.
DESPITE the economic slowdown, many bargain hunters showed up yesterday at the annual property showcase, Penang International Property Expo 2009 (PIP09), held at the Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) in Relau, Penang.
Many were seen busy collecting brochures and enquiring about property projects and their attractive incentives, easy financing packages and free gifts.
The three-day PIP09 was launched by the state Housing and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai. It is being held for the fourth consecutive year at PISA.
Also present was the event organising chairman Datuk Syed Mohd Aidid Syed Murtaza who said that the response on the first day was good, adding that he expected more people over the weekend.
Visitors browsing around the booths at the International Property Expo yesterday.
“There are also opportunities in this crisis (economic slowdown), and if we put our minds together we can weather the storm,’’ he added.
There are 55 exhibitors showcasing their properties, products and services at the event.
Organised by PIP Creation Sdn Bhd, the event is supported by the state government with the cooperation of Penevents and Raine & Horne International.
Most of the booths are well decorated with extra space for customers to sit and have discussions.
The trophy for the best decorated booth went to SP Setia Bhd, which is decorated with plants such as fern, petunia, yucca and lavender to give their customers a feel of their project in Sungai Ara which is surrounded by greenery.
Its sales and marketing property division (north) customer relations manager Yeoh Chee Beng said the company wanted to show their customers the beautiful landscape of the eco-tourism project.
(from left) Syed Mohd Aidid, Wong, event director Ong Ban Seang and expo co-organiser Michael Geh touching a crystal ball to launch the expo at Pisa.
“We have our ‘5/95’ home loan package where buyers only need to pay 5% down payment, while 95% is bank loan. We are also providing free legal fees and stamp duty for the sale and purchase agreement, loan agreement and transfer,’’ he added.
As for Mah Sing Properties Sdn Bhd, which is participating for the second time, it hoped to attract purchasers to their three-storey terrace houses in Batu Maung.
Its marketing and sales manager Venus Ho said this was their first project in Penang.
PDC properties architect Fahimah Abu Bakar said many people had sought information on their high-end project in Batu Kawan and their low and low-medium cost projects in Sungai Nibong.
Visitor Joseph Dass, 32, said he expected great bargains because of the current economic situation.
“I am living with my parents at the moment and I really hope to get a good deal for a landed property,” he said.
Besides the property booths, there are also booths on security companies, household products and banks.
Mahmood Security (M) Sdn Bhd stands out with its display of a van and MPV at the exhibition corner.
Wong in his speech said the property sector was not drastically affected by the global economic slowdown like in Britain and United States.
“In fact, property transactions towards the second half of last year were encouraging, and hopefully the lag factor will be minimised with the various economic incentives pursued by the government.
“Developers will have to be more innovative to attract potential buyers and build more affordable housing,’’ he said.
As reported in China Press
黃漢偉:免供過於求
檳嚴密監督產業市場
(檳城28日訊)檳州行政議員黃漢偉指出,全球目前飽受金融海嘯沖擊,州政府已嚴密監督州內的產業市場,以避免90年代經濟蕭條時,面對的屋業供過于求及多項發展計劃紛紛被擱置的歷史重演。
這位掌管房屋委員會的州行政議員說,要重整這些擱置計劃往往需耗費大量資金,同時也承受社會異議。
“一如十多年前,在天德園一項被擱置的屋業發展計劃以及壟尾大華高原計劃,所幸,前者目前已露重振的曙光,而后者,州政府則仍在竭盡所能與清盤司協商尋求一個最佳解決方案。
黃漢偉是代表檳首長林冠英出席由PIP Creation有限公司主辦,並獲州政府聯合PenEvents有限公司與永利行贊助的“ 2009年檳州國際產業展”主持開幕致詞時,這么指出。
減少繁文縟節
第四屆產業展銷盛會吸引多達55個攤格參展,還呈獻一系列優惠配套及備有超過1萬令吉幸運獎待參觀者贏取。
他說,州政府也已指示檳島及威省市政局重新檢討及減少一切有關圖測及建築准申請的指南與繁文縟節,以便簡化及加速申請程序。
他說,州政府歡迎任何正面的意見與回饋,並希望在取得公眾的合作、犧牲之前,共赴時艱。
他透露,州政府房屋委員會最近曾赴新加坡取經,發現新加坡不但有能力為高達90%人口提供良好居住環境的住宅,更擁有非常好的基本設施,完善的保養與維修,也使一些經擁有31年歷史的建築物看起來有如才建竣3年。
“反觀檳城,一年只得一年的屋齡,其電梯卻已殘舊得有如已用上30年般。”
其實,他說,要達到所需的房屋目標非難事,要良好保養卻非易事,這是很值得我們學習的。
這項展銷會今年也首創地設有產業界網絡交流會,其他重點還有產業拍賣、及各項專題講座。