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With the US presidential election on Tuesday, both candidates vow a get-tough approach on China, the need for reducing the federal deficit, and more drilling for natural oil and gas in US borders. With so much encouragement from political leaders, hydraulic fracturing to extract oil and gas is highly competitive in the US and profits are in decline. So many holders of oil and gas leases hope to unload their properties, and China is waiting in line. China’s Lanzhou Haimo Technologies Co has expressed interest in buying a stake in Texas-based Carrizo Oil & Gas. Under the deal, the Chinse firm would acquire 6000 acres with infrastructure, reports John Daly for OilPrice.com. He argues that the intention behind the purchase is not the small bit of fuel, but rather to access infrastructure and technology.

The US is a leader in hydraulic fracking and China wants to follow the US lead in this area. China has an insatiable demand for fossil fuels, which continues to drive demand and hike global energy prices. Daly reports that he expects the sale to be approved with few questions asked. – YaleGlobal Competition in energy sector has reduced profits; companies with US oil and gas leases want to dump holdings – and advanced technology – onto China John Daly OilPrice.com, 5 November 2012 Dr. John C.K. Daly is the chief analyst for Oilprice.com, Dr. Daly received his Ph.D. in 1986 from the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University of London. While at the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, where he is currently a non-resident scholar, in 199 he founded The Cyber-Caravan, which continues today under the title, The Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst. He subsequently served as Director of Programs at the Middle East Institute in Washington DC before joining UPI as International Correspondent.

Rights:© 2012 OilPrice.com

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How Jason Freedman and 42Floors cooked up a killer business idea that could turn commercial real estate on its head.Jason Freedman hunches his shoulders against New York City’s December chill and walks faster, nudged both by the cold and by being late. He and David Woodworth, co-founders of an Internet company called 42Floors, both stand out a bit with their buoyant, vulnerable Californianess as they swim against the trudging, elbowing crowds.Focused on the iPhone he clutches a foot in front of his face for navigational purposes, oblivious to how dorky and unsafe this seems on these streets, Freedman races on to the next stop in a two-day string of meetings, Woodworth trailing a few feet behind.Freedman and Woodworth are several months into

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China’s real estate scene is reminiscent of the 2007 US market: developers are slashing prices and infuriating owners who paid top yuan for properties. Problems in the real estate market are extending into steel, banking, mining and other sectors. Vacant developments are numerous because wealthy Chinese savers have few alternatives for investing growing wealth. “Beijing’s response to the global financial crisis added jet fuel to the fire,” writes Patrick Chovanec for Foreign Affairs, arguing that investors, not urban residents contributed to the bubble. “To maintain GDP growth of nearly ten percent during a massive downturn in global demand, China’s leaders engineered a lending boom that expanded the country’s money supply by roughly two-thirds.” Developers, after ignoring warnings to ease up on capacity, have urged the government to lift restrictions on owning multiple homes. By letting the bubble pop, the government could instantly create affordable housing for less affluent Chinese. – YaleGlobal Speculation, excess inventory, vacant developments, price reductions – a host of factors are set to undermine China’s real estate market and economic growth Patrick Chovanec Foreign Affairs, 26 December 2011 Rights:Copyright © 2002-2011 by the Council on Foreign Relations, Inc.

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Published on The Nation dated 24 January 2011 by Aliwassa Pathnadabutr, Managing Director of CB Richard Ellis Thailand Most condominium units in Thailand nowadays are offered on a freehold basis. However, you will occasionally come across projects that are offered on leasehold. The maximum lease term allowed in Thailand is 30 years, and this lease is registered with the Land Department Thailand Business News

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Bangkok stands to lose an estimated 30-40 billion baht in property damages after more than 30 buildings including CentralWorld and Big C in the Ratchadamri area were torched by anti-government protesters who were enraged after their leaders surrendered to police. Thailand Business News

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Koh Samui, Thailand continues to yield interesting options for would be property investors. With the majority of Thailand real estate being purchased with cash, as bank finance being almost impossible to obtain, the underlying valuation of property and land is being maintained, although due to most investors being foreign investors with a portfolio of assets, there are now some nice prospects for those with investment capital who are ready to consider increasing their property portfolio.

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Property in Thailand One of the most picturesque countries of Asia, Thailand is a top-notch global tourist hotspot. Be it the coastal lifestyle or the mainland Thai locales, the entire country is full of amazing spots that allure you no end. Thailand’s major USP is tourism and the government knows this fact and has always promoted it on a global scale. The response from tourists flocking to the country has been overwhelming and they seem to return to Thailand in abundance year after year. Political uncertainty notwithstanding, tourists tend to flock to the country on a year round basis. Though the country is not quite open to full foreign ownership of Thai property, there is no dearth of investors’ interest in the Thailand real estate. The charm that is Thailand The special Thai charm assumes much greater significance for the development of the entire Southeast Asia. The miles and miles of pristine sandy beaches, including the world famous Pattaya Beach, dotted with exquisite palms have a unique magical effect on the visitor, which makes it a favourite honeymoon destination for couples tying the knot!. Phuket and Koh Samui occupy the pride of place on the coastal regions Thailand. Thai spa’s are world famous for their soothing, calming, and relaxing effects on a tired body. This makes the country one of the best getaway spots in the world to relax the tired mind, body, and soul. The Buddhist monasteries make for a profound experience and worth visiting at least once during your stay. Being the major Thai religion, Buddhism is all-pervasive in the lifestyle of people here. And it’s an open secret how much the Westerners are attracted towards Buddhism and the Buddhists. Though not an absolute monarchy, yet Thailand has the longest reigning monarchy of the world since 1946. And this has been a constant cause of several coups in the country in the recent years. The country has also seen some of the worst natural disasters in recent times, like Tsunami, SARS, and Bird Flu. But all this has virtually zero effect on the minds of visitors in Thailand. The capital Bangkok is just like any other advanced European city, with casinos, nightclubs, pubs, bars, cafes, restaurants, theatres, cocktail lounges, and massage parlours easily accessible. Thailand is also a haven for the shopping freaks with quality leather and electronic equipments available at much cheaper prices than Europe and the USA. The regular flights to and from Thailands Airports connecting major European, American, Australian and Asian cities have spelled boom time for Thai tourism and economy. Property Investment in Thailand Unfortunately, Thai government is not so open when it comes to inviting global real estate players for developmental purposes. There is a bar on property investments by foreigners in the Thai real estate. As an individual, you cannot own any land, and even as a company, only the Thai partner is allowed to own land and that too with considerable amount of restrictions. The government is particularly strict in this regard post-2006 coup. The freehold land might not be available for direct purchase by a foreign national, but you certainly can lease the property on a 30-years lease period. The foreign purchasers of condominiums may buy the freehold so long as total foreign ownership does not exceed 49% of the whole structure. Investment in Thailands real estate should never be completed without soliciting the help of local expert adept in property transactions. This is because the Thai real estate industry is largely unregulated and you’ll hardly find any regulations governing real estate transaction in the country. While a lawyer is not a necessity in completing the contract, if the documents are in Thai, it’s better to hire either a good translator or a real estate expert. The best property to invest in Thailand is the holiday resorts and other vacation property at prime tourist centres. A beautiful Thai villa can be yours for just 121K at ChiangMai, while a resort property is available for upwards of 50K. Condominiums in Pattaya are available at 30K onwards, while villas for sale in Phuket are heavily priced at a minimum of 480K. These properties will ensure you get a commanding rental income throughout the year, and you can also enjoy an annual stay for a couple of weeks (or more!) in these accommodation sites. It’s better to research the country for an appropriate and legally acquirable property because tourism potential notwithstanding, there can be lots of crooks and goons on the prowl waiting for the gullible foreign investors. Make adequate inquiries and research about the individuals and property you are dealing with. The lax political and administrative will has resulted into several criminal elements making Thailand their den. However, if you approach the real estate transaction with due diligence, chances are you’d be able to strike a good and legitimate deal. Author:

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