Singapore, China Reaffirm Close Ties, Discuss Cooperation in Emerging Areas
Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday (Dec 6) discussed opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the digital economy, renewable and clean energy, and other emerging areas.
Meeting at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, they reaffirmed the multi-faceted and close ties between their two countries, “which has kept pace with the changing needs and priorities of both countries over the years”, said Singapore’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a statement.
On its part, China stands ready to work with Singapore to pursue even more ambitious goals in the “new era” of bilateral relations between the two countries, said Li.
CPF Interest Rates for Special, MediSave and Retirement Accounts Raised to 4.08%
Central Provident Fund (CPF) members’ savings in their Special and MediSave Accounts (SMA) will generate interest at a rate of 4.08 percent from Jan 1, 2024, to Mar 31, 2024, from 4.04 percent previously.
The CPF Board, Housing and Development Board (HDB) and Ministry of Health said on Wednesday (Dec 6) that the SMA interest rate has now exceeded the floor rate of 4 percent due to the increase in the 12-month average yield of 10-year Singapore Government Securities.
The interest rate for savings in the Retirement Account (RA) will also be 4.08 percent over the first quarter of 2024, from 4 percent in 2023.
MND Boosts Private Housing Supply on Confirmed List By 5.6% to 5,450 Units in H1 2024
For the seventh time in a row, the government has increased its land supply for private homes under the confirmed list of the half-yearly Government Land Sales (GLS) programme.
The Ministry of National Development (MND) announced on Wednesday (Dec 6) that it will be releasing sites that can yield a total of about 5,450 private residential units – including 710 executive condominium (EC) units and 515 long-stay serviced apartments – via the confirmed list in the first half of next year.
This is 5.6 percent or 290 units more than the 5,160-unit supply for the current second-half 2023 GLS programme. It is also the highest supply on the confirmed list since H2 2013’s 5,960 units.
