CEO Speaker's Series launched on July 1

A new learning opportunity for management staff began on 1 July, 2008 with the inauguration of the CEO Speaker's Series. This series will bring a variety of experts to share their thoughts on the company's success. Mr. Vincent H. S. Lo, Shui On Land's Chairman and CEO will be the host of each session.

The guest at the first session, “Key Factors of a Successful Property Developer”, was Mr. Richard Ho, Senior Advisor of the Shui On Group. Mr. Ho entered the property development and construction industry in Hong Kong in the 1960s and joined Shui On Properties in 1982. When Shui On Properties became more active in the Shanghai property market in 1994, Mr. Ho played a strong role in many development projects.

208 staff members attended the session at the UME Theatre in Xintiandi. Mr. Lo and Mr. Ho exchanged views on the property industry through a Q&A approach. According to Mr. Ho, a successful property developer must know the right time to acquire land and arrange funding, choose the best locations, has an outstanding reputation and the ability to provide quality service. Using the Shui On Group's development as an example, Mr. Lo added that a property developer must understand its own strengths and limitations so as to grasp opportunities in a timely manner.

The session was recorded and will be played in follow-up sessions in each project city.

Attendees were surveyed for topics they want to hear about in the future. In future, the CEO Speaker's Series will bring inspiring expertise to Shui On Land management staff 2-4 times per year.

Foshan Lingnan Tiandi Phase I land handover ceremony

The land handover ceremony for the first phase of Lingnan Tiandi in Zumiao Donghua Lane of Foshan was successfully held on 22 July, signifying that the redevelopment project is progressing from relocation and dismantling to construction stage.

The first phase of land handed over to the company has an area of 7.63 hectares. All of the 1,008 families and 21 businesses in the area have signed relocation compensation agreements. After receiving the land, the company will first build a five-star hotel with a commercial complex on the site of a sports ground.

In addition, the second phase of land, with an area of approximately 5.33 hectares, will be handed over in the end of August. Relocation of the 1,153 families in the area progresses as planned. The handover of the entire piece of land is expected to complete by 30 June, 2010.

Research trip to Yunnan by senior management

On 14-25 July, Chairman and CEO Mr. Vincent H.S. Lo led a delegation of over 40 representatives from the Yunnan Project Management Office, Business Development Department, Planning & Development Department, Research & Strategy Department, strategic partners and consultant companies for an in-depth visit to cities of Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La in Yunnan.

During the 12-day research programme, the delegation held seminars with officials from the four cities. Resolutions made at the seminars, which were supported and recognised by the relevant government departments, were widely covered by the local media. In addition to brainstorming with the local governments, in-depth analysis was conducted on the land available for development, and important decisions were made regarding land acquisition, project positioning and brand promotion.

The company's senior management gathered during the Yunnan trip, laying a solid foundation for our vision to develop the Yunnan projects into one of the world's top three holiday destinations situated on a plateau, promote cooperation among the four cities, and facilitate new rural development.