from the ground Up

by Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, Nov 29 2008
But analysts do not see much enthusiasm for mixed development plot
THE planned transformation of Jurong into Singapore’s Lake District was set in motion yesterday as the Government released sales details of its first site for tender.
However, market analysts say the current economic downturn and weak property market [...]

Snow-drenched landscape, with steam emitted from a crude oil upgrader, converting bitumen mined from Canada’s oil sands into crude oil.

*

Sorry for the lack of personal updates. Have been meaning to write a bit more, but have been travelling for the past two weeks and didn’t help that my work laptop died on the first day I arrived in Canada.

So the whirlwind tour of the world in the last couple of weeks included flying from Singapore to Tokyo, to Los Angeles, to Calgary, up to Fort McMurray, back to Calgary, to Houston, then finally Moscow and back to Singapore.

I feel like I don’t want to travel now for a long long time and feel extremely guilty about the carbon footprint of all that flying - am looking out for a reliable website where I can possibly pay to offset my flights.

But in general, the trip has been thoroughly interesting and I feel like I now know a lot more about the energy sector, particularly after visiting projects such as Canada’s oil sands, and deepwater drilling projects in the US, off the Gulf of Mexico.

More on that coming up, since I don’t know what will be published yet, as of now.

by Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, Nov 14 2008
No rush for condo-style Bishan flats as market sentiment turns sober
THE higher end of the public housing market is showing its first signs of cooling, with the Housing Board’s latest condo-style flats receiving a lacklustre response.
With only one day left to the closing of applications, Natura Loft [...]

by Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, Nov 13 2008
THE global credit crunch has hit the carbon trading industry, with investments in carbon projects slowing down as credit dries up, said World Bank carbon expert Jari Vayrynen yesterday.
But despite the recent financial industry turmoil, the carbon market itself has been “relatively stable”, said chief executive Henry [...]

by Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, Nov 10 2008
Crisis will reveal which companies are really socially responsible
IN THE current economic climate, corporate social responsibility (CSR) might seem like the last thing that would be on the minds of companies now.
But one by-product of the financial crisis will be a separating of companies with real commitment [...]

by Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, Nov 8 2008
French giant sets up cutting-edge plant; it’ll be firm’s hub for Asia
FRENCH wafer maker Soitec opened a $700 million plant in Pasir Ris yesterday, defying the gloom that has descended on the electronics industry.
The 2.7ha facility is Soitec’s first outside France and will serve as the company’s [...]

By Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, Nov 7 2008
AS THE election euphoria from Senator Barack Obama’s historic United States presidential election victory subsides, more sober questions are emerging.
For instance, what does the return of the Democrats to the White House after eight years’ absence signal for Asia, and for Singapore in particular? Will trade protectionism [...]

by Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, Nov 6 2008
GIVEN the current economic climate, the job market is expected to get worse before it gets better.
But employers should not take the easy way out and cut costs by laying off workers at the first sign of trouble, said Dr Ahmad Magad, an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol [...]

by Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, Nov 5 2008
Trade Minister outlines three growth strategies for firms to ride out economic downturn
SINGAPORE companies must take advantage of this period of financial gloom in the global economy and strengthen their competitiveness, said Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang.
They should strive to “advance their global footprint in [...]

By Goh Chin Lian and Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, November 1 2008
THE impact of the global economic slowdown is showing in three key engines powering Singapore’s economy, according to preliminary figures released yesterday on the employment situation here.
Although the unemployment rate held steady at 2.2 per cent, the manufacturing, services and construction sectors added [...]