GPD Delegation Visit to SISV and HDB, Singapore To enhance liaison and co-operation with our counterparts in Singapore, a delegation of six Council Members visited the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) in mid-January. Meeting with SISV HKIS delegates exchanged views with the SISV on current professional development in the region and matters of common interests. It was agreed to have a closer relationship through regular meetings say on an annual basis so as to keep up with the latest market situation and professional development. In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding was proposed. Agreement/comment on the draft MOU is being sought from the respective Councils before both institutes firm up the proposal. Apart from taking an active role in the WAVO, the GPD would also invite SISV delegates to visit the HKIS in April this year. Visit to the Singapore Housing and Development Board ("HDB") On 14 January, HKIS delegates visited the HDB which is responsible for planning and building public housing estates mainly in the form of Home Ownership for about 80% of the residents in Singapore. Deliberations on various topics such as Home Ownership Scheme, Public Rental Housing etc were conducted in a friendly atmosphere. Views on the urban renewal policy in Singapore on "En bloc Redevelopment Scheme" were exchanged. After the meeting, HDB's representatives accompanied the delegates' tour around their Gallery. From different exhibits, we noted the rapid growth of public housing there and how new towns were comprehensively planned. Technical Visit to Singapore Resorts World Sentosa. On 15 January, the HKIS delegates made a visit to the new landmark development, Resorts World Sentosa. Occupying a land area of over 49 hectares, Resorts World Sentosa is an integrated resort accommodating one of Singapore's two casinos, six hotels, Universal Studios theme park, Marine Life Park as well as the Maritime Xperiential Museum. Mr Michael Chin, Executive Vice President of Resorts World Sentosa, kindly explained to us on the development process and how various obstacles were overcome. We were greatly impressed with this result-oriented project. CIREA Reciprocity Reciprocity Arrangement with CIREA (Training Sessions and Assessment-March 2011) Shortly after the balloting exercise held on 20 November 2010, letters were dispatched to applicants informing them of the results. At the same time, arrangements for a special CPD event (which would be regarded as meeting the minimum acceptable mainland working experience) was promulgated. The CPD event on 8 January was well received. About 80 members attended including those who already have the previous relevant mainland working experience, those who had to make up the deficit and some members who were on the waiting list. Application forms were dispatched to eligible candidates advising them of the proposed arrangement, fee chargeable etc. Applicants were required to submit their forms together with the fee chargeable by 24 January. Meanwhile, the working group is liaising with the counter-part on the venue, accommodation and other logistics. Further details will be announced at the earliest opportunity. Special CPD Seminar A whole-day CPD seminar (namely中國估價概要及內地房地產估價師資格互認考核研討會) was held on 8 January to top up the working experience of those applicants under the CIREA Reciprocity (and Supplementary) Agreement who were short of the required mainland practical experience. At the onset, Professor J. P. Liao from Sun Yat-sen University elaborated on real estate valuations in the mainland, including legal position of property valuation, routes leading to a professional valuer and registration system of qualified valuers in China. Moreover, Professor Liao explained in details on various methods of valuation adopted in the mainland. In the second half of the seminar, Messrs K. K. Chiu and Mr Charles Chan, both vice-chairmen of GPD, shared with attendees the similarity and differentiation on valuation practices adopted in Hong Kong and the mainland. They also explained the difficulties encountered when handling such cases in the mainland.