From left to right: Ivan Lam, Executive Director for International Business, Charter Keck Cramer; Josh Chye, Partner, Tax Consulting, HLB Mann Judd; Michael Lang, State Director, Residential Projects Melbourne, Savills Australia; Jules Kay, General Manager, PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events; Colin Chee, Creative Director & Founder, Never Too Small; Benson Zhou, Director, CBD & Metropolitan Sales Melbourne, Savills Australia; and Karen Kong, Head of Property Lending, Bendigo Bank

SYDNEY, AU, May 8, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - The PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) programme returns for its ninth edition in 2026 following two successful launch events in Sydney and Melbourne, announcing a roster of new categories that elevate real estate standards across the country’s booming urban centres.

This year’s winners will be recognised at the gala celebration of the 9th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) to be held on Friday, 4 September 2026, at the Shangri-La Sydney. Entries are now open until July.

Key dates for the 2026 edition are:

• Now – Entries open
• 10 July 2026 – Entries close
• 28-31 July 2026 – Site Inspections
• 4 September 2026 – Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Sydney, Australia
• 11 December 2026 – International Grand Final Gala Dinner in Bangkok, Thailand

The expanded PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) programme aligns with transformative market dynamics taking place across cities from Melbourne to Sydney and Brisbane. High-quality built spaces in urban centres nationwide continue to appeal to discerning domestic property seekers and cross-border investors, especially those from Southeast Asia.

Newly introduced categories include Best Condo Developer, Best Housing Developer, Best First Home Development, Best Wellness Hospitality Development, Best Marina Development, Best Landmark Development, Best Sales Gallery Interior Design, and Best Landmark Design.

Asia Connect in Australia

The launch of the 9th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) comes on the heels of two high-profile Asia Connect events in Melbourne and Sydney. Asia Connect brought together thought leaders and industry professionals to discuss market trends set to impact the outlook of urban development in Australia.

From left to right: Watcharaphon Chaisuk, Senior Solutions Manager, PropertyGuru Group; Philip Low, President, AMBC-NSW; Councillor Robert Kok, City of Sydney Council; Josh Chye, Partner, Tax Consulting, HLB Mann Judd; Jules Kay, General Manager, PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events; Ivan Lam, Executive Director for International Business, Charter Keck Cramer; and Udomluk Suwan, Sales Director, PropertyGuru Group.

Asia Connect: Sydney, held on 13 March in the New South Wales capital, served as a prelude to the 2026 awards programme. The launch event at the Four Seasons Hotel gained the support of the City of Sydney Council, led by Councillor Robert Kok, and convened market experts and award-winning developers, including Eterno Property Group and Skyland Group.

Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, City of Melbourne Council

The launch continued 17 March with Asia Connect: Melbourne, held at the Savills headquarters in the Victorian capital. The gathering featured insights from property experts and was welcomed by Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, who joined developers, design professionals, and industry associations to discuss sustainable urban growth.

Stability and liveability

Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: “As we launch the 2026 PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) from Sydney, we turn our focus to a market poised for a resurgence. With airport upgrades and mega-infrastructure coming to life, the city looks set to lead national growth. This complex market demands the capital and innovation that Asia's investors, seeking stability beyond traditional markets, are uniquely positioned to provide. We can't wait to see what the finest real estate in Sydney and, by extension, Australia, looks like this year.”

He added: “As one of the world’s most liveable cities, Melbourne has shown us a flight to quality and a fascinating paradox, characterised by price growth against headwinds. Such a divergence underscores the need to spotlight resilience, from the resurgence of Asian capital to the student accommodation boom, as we contribute to a market that continues to showcase Australia’s best real estate.”

Ivan Lam, Executive Director for International Business, Charter Keck Cramer and PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) chairperson

Ivan Lam, chairperson of the independent judging panel and executive director for international business at Charter Keck Cramer, said: “We are thrilled to honour the finest real estate in Sydney and the rest of Australia this year. We are optimistic about blue-chip suburbs in Australia's largest city as well as the many public works that promise to unlock value across New South Wales. The westward transformation of Sydney especially presents a generational opportunity for astute investors and developers alike while the enduring appeal of the city's eastern and northern suburbs demonstrates the prestige market’s resilience. We call on developers to submit their best and showcase their works to property seekers and peers across Australia and the region.”

He added: “With impressive growth forecasted for Melbourne, we expect a resilient market defined by emerging luxury enclaves and an enduring, inherent appeal to Asian property seekers as well as local buyers. The calibre of this year’s entries will surely reflect the dynamism of this market.”

From left to right: Josh Chye, Partner, Tax Consulting, HLB Mann Judd; Joe Phegan, Managing Director, Savills Victoria; Ivan Lam, Executive Director for International Business, Charter Keck Cramer; Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, City of Melbourne Council; Karen Kong, Head of Property Lending, Bendigo Bank; Jules Kay, General Manager, PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events; Benson Zhou, Director, CBD & Metropolitan Sales Melbourne, Savills Australia; and Watcharaphon Chaisuk, Senior Solutions Manager, PropertyGuru Group

Organised by PropertyGuru Group, Southeast Asia’s leading PropTech company, Asia Connect: Sydney and Asia Connect: Melbourne were supported by Australia Malaysia Business Council in New South Wales (AMBC-NSW) and Victoria (AMBC-Vic), Malaysian Developers Council of Australia (MDCA), and Savills Australia; official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; and official supervisor HLB Mann Judd.

For more information, email awards@propertyguru.com or visit the official website: AsiaPropertyAwards.com.

ABOUT PROPERTYGURU GROUP

PropertyGuru is Southeast Asia's leading1 PropTech company, and the preferred destination for over 32 million property seekers monthly2 to connect with over 50,000 agents3 monthly to find their dream home. PropertyGuru empowers property seekers with more than 2.1 million real estate listings4, in-depth insights, and solutions that enable them to make confident property decisions across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.PropertyGuru.com.sg was launched in Singapore in 2007 and since then, PropertyGuru Group has made the property journey a transparent one for property seekers in Southeast Asia. In the last 18 years, PropertyGuru has grown into a high-growth PropTech company with a robust portfolio including leading property marketplaces and award-winning mobile apps across its markets in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand as well as the region's biggest and most respected industry recognition platform - PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards, events, and publications across Asia.

For more information, please visit: PropertyGuruGroup.com; PropertyGuru Group on LinkedIn.

(1) Based on SimilarWeb data between July 2024 and December 2024.
(2) Based on Google Analytics data between July 2024 and December 2024.
(3) Based on data between October 2024 and December 2024.
(4) Based on data between July 2024 and December 2024.

PROPERTYGURU CONTACTS:

General Enquiries:

Richard Allan Aquino, Head of Brand & Marketing Services
M: +66 92 954 4154
E: allan@propertyguru.com 

Media & Partnerships:

Nate Dacua, Senior Manager, Media and Marketing Services
M: +66 92 701 2510
E: nate@propertyguru.com 

Sales & Nominations:

Watcharaphon Chaisuk (Jeff), Solutions Manager
M: +66 95 797 0595
E: jeff@propertyguru.com

Piyachanok Raungpaka,
Senior Media & Marketing Services Executive
M: +66 94 887 5163
E: piyachanok@propertyguru.com 

ANNUAL REAL ESTATE HONOURS RETURN AS MARKET SHOWS RESILIENCE

SINGAPORE, May 4, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - The 16th edition of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) programme is now open to entries as the market continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability.

The 2026 edition of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) will celebrate the country's finest real estate at a gala ceremony on Friday, 30 October at The St. Regis Singapore.

Top winners will later represent Singapore and vie for the “Best in Asia” accolades at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final in Bangkok this December.

Entries are now open. Key dates for the 2026 edition are:

• 21 August 2026 – Entries Close
• 21-25 September 2026 – Site Inspections
• 28 September 2026 – Final Judging
• 30 October 2026 – Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Singapore
• 11 December 2026 – Regional Grand Final Gala Dinner in Bangkok, Thailand

Demand and stability

The latest edition of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) arrives as the property market shows stability and resilient housing demand. In the first half of 2026, 4,575 private residential units will be tendered under the GLS programme, a figure representing 50% above the decade average. Meanwhile, landed property prices rose 3.4% quarter-on-quarter as of January 2026, outperforming non-landed segments and highlighting buyer urgency for long-term family homes in a tightly restricted market.

Considering the market’s evolution, the 16th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) introduces several new award categories, including Best Condo Developer, Best Housing Architectural Design, Best Sales Gallery Interior Design, and Best Flexible Work Space.

Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: “Despite global headwinds, Singapore's property market has shown resilience, with steady price growth and sustained developer confidence even at premium price points. This year's international awards showcase Singapore's market dynamism, and with several new categories introduced, we invite industry leaders to showcase their finest developments, designs, and ESG initiatives. Whether you've delivered standout projects or driven innovation in a stable but competitive market, now is the time to demonstrate excellence and raise the bar higher for Singapore property.”

Roy Ling, chairperson of the independent panel of judges and CEO, board director, and adjunct professor, FollowTrade, said: “We invite Singapore’s finest real estate developers to showcase their best projects and ESG initiatives at this year’s awards as the market enters a phase of steady, more measured growth. With residential activity stabilising and commercial sectors supported by resilient demand in office and logistics, we look forward to seeing how the industry responds with innovation, quality, and adaptability in this transformative environment.”

Organised by PropertyGuru Group, Southeast Asia’s leading PropTech company, the 16th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) is supported by gold sponsor Mitsubishi Electric Asia; official portal partner PropertyGuru.com.sg; official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; media partners D+A Magazine, Gazet International, SquareRooms Magazine, Tatler Asia Homes, and Top 10 of Singapore; supporting association Singapore Estate Agents Association; and official supervisor HLB.

For more information, email awards@propertyguru.com or visit the official website: AsiaPropertyAwards.com.

ABOUT PROPERTYGURU GROUP

PropertyGuru is Southeast Asia's leading1 PropTech company, and the preferred destination for over 32 million property seekers monthly2 to connect with over 50,000 agents3 monthly to find their dream home. PropertyGuru empowers property seekers with more than 2.1 million real estate listings4, in-depth insights, and solutions that enable them to make confident property decisions across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.PropertyGuru.com.sg was launched in Singapore in 2007 and since then, PropertyGuru Group has made the property journey a transparent one for property seekers in Southeast Asia. In the last 18 years, PropertyGuru has grown into a high-growth PropTech company with a robust portfolio including leading property marketplaces and award-winning mobile apps across its markets in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand as well as the region's biggest and most respected industry recognition platform - PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards, events, and publications across Asia.

For more information, please visit: PropertyGuruGroup.com; PropertyGuru Group on LinkedIn.

(1) Based on SimilarWeb data between July 2024 and December 2024.
(2) Based on Google Analytics data between July 2024 and December 2024.
(3) Based on data between October 2024 and December 2024.
(4) Based on data between July 2024 and December 2024.

PROPERTYGURU CONTACTS:

General Enquiries:
Richard Allan Aquino, Head of Brand & Marketing Services
M: +66 92 954 4154
E: allan@propertyguru.com 

Media & Partnerships: 
Nate Dacua, Senior Manager, Media and Marketing Services
M: +66 92 701 2510
E: nate@propertyguru.com 

Sponsorships:
Piyachanok Raungpaka, Senior Media & Marketing Services Executive
M: +66 94 887 5163
E: piyachanok@propertyguru.com 

HONG KONG, Apr 23, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - The 3rd Smart Lighting Expo and the 17th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), successfully concluded today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The four-day fairs brought together some 900 exhibitors and attracted some 13,000 buyers from 114 countries and regions for on-site visits and sourcing. Buyer numbers recorded growth, including those from Asian markets such as Malaysia and the Philippines; European markets including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia and Türkiye; and North and South American markets, including Brazil, Canada and the US, highlighting Hong Kong’s role as a key global hub for lighting products and technology exchange.

Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: "This year’s two lighting fairs attracted industry-leading enterprises who showcased cutting-edge high-performance, smart lighting and sustainable products and solutions. The events also attracted quality buyers from global markets. This helps companies diversify supply chains, explore new markets, and underscores Hong Kong’s strength as an ‘International Exhibition Capital’ which boosts efficient business platforms. The fairs are the preferred platform for the industry to showcase innovation, connect with global buyer networks and accelerate business development.”

Survey findings: Respondents were most optimistic about the India and Australia markets

To keep abreast of the latest industry developments, the HKTDC conducted an on-site survey during the fairs, interviewing 450 exhibitors and buyers. The findings show that overall confidence among exhibitors and buyers in future business development has shown a general increase.

Key market outlook and product trend findings:

49.1% of respondents expect overall sales to increase in the next 12 to 24 months, while 47.6% expect sales to remain stable.Respondents consider India (73.4%), Australia (71%), ASEAN countries (70.4%), and Japan (68.1%) to be promising or very promising target sales markets for lighting products over the next two years in terms of growth.In terms of new market development, exhibitor respondents are actively exploring Middle East (31.8%), Europe (29.5%), ASEAN countries (23.9%), Latin America (17.6%) and North America (14.8%).In the smart lighting segment, respondents identified home automation and intelligent lighting control systems (48.2%), energy saving lighting control solutions (38.2%), and outdoor smart security lighting systems (31.1%) as having the greatest growth potential over the next two years.Compared with conventional lighting products, respondents indicated that consumers are willing to pay an average premium of 29% for lighting products equipped with smart functions.

Scenario-based displays and new zones enhance sourcing effectiveness, with positive trade outcomes

The newly launched “Light Lab” features various scenario-based and immersive designs, integrating lighting products into landscape, sports, cultural and artistic application settings. Shanghai Sansi Electronic Engineering showcased plant clamp lights and compact downlights suitable for museum applications. Guoli Zhu, Deputy Chief Engineer of the company said: “The Light Lab has effectively enhanced the presentation of our products, enabling buyers to more intuitively and swiftly grasp product features and their real-world application scenarios. This has successfully attracted buyers from Argentina, Canada, Germany, India, Japan and the US to visit our booth for in-depth discussions. We expect this to result in orders worth over US$1 million.”

The Smart Lighting Expo also debuted the “Smart Display and Stage Lighting & Sound Zone” which displayed a wide range of intelligent display solutions. Industry leader Absen participated in the fair for the first time. Benjamin Tang, Senior Sales Engineer, said: “The new zone has effectively enhanced product visibility, attracting buyers from Eastern Europe, Oceania, North America, South America, and South Asia to our booth. These inquiries came from new clients across key sectors such as cultural tourism and stage engineering. We have also successfully engaged in several promising collaboration discussions with potential clients from the Dominican Republic, Hong Kong and Thailand, further strengthening the company’s market expansion plan. We estimate the value of orders from the expo will amount to US$930,000. Riding on this momentum, we have decided to join the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) this year.”

The newly launched “Leisure Lighting Zone” has injected new momentum into the Spring Lighting Fair. Rebecca Seo, CFO of NIZ, a first-time exhibitor from Korea, said: “The fair has provided us with an excellent platform to connect with international buyers. We have successfully connected with buyers from Denmark, Germany, Japan, and the US, and a well-known Japanese homeware retailer has already placed an on-site order. Thanks to the strong traffic generated by the new zone, we expect the fair to bring up to US$70 million in orders for our company this year."

Supported by Zhongshan as the Special Partner City, the fairs featured the Zhongshan Guzhen Pavilion and Zhongshan Henglan Pavilion under the Zhongshan Smart Home Zone, presenting the manufacturing strength and competitiveness of the region’s lighting industry while supporting enterprises in “going global”. Merry Liu, Manager of Bairan Lighting, an industrial enterprise above designated size in Henglan, Zhongshan, said: “The two lighting fairs provide Zhongshan enterprises with an efficient ‘go-global’ gateway, enabling us to connect directly with buyers from Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Southeast Asia. This helps drive our products and brand onto the international stage. We expect to achieve US$2 million in sales.”

During the fair, the HKTDC organised a buying mission to Zhongshan for the first time, visiting several lighting factories and participating in business matching meetings. This initiative aimed to deepen exchange and cooperation within the Zhongshan lighting supply chain. The visit successfully facilitated several substantive business collaborations; New Zealand buyer Spark100 Ltd established a connection with a Zhongshan lighting supplier, with a potential order value estimated between US$100,000 and US$300,000.

This year’s exhibition also attracted buyers from the Middle East. Patrick Zhang, VP of sales of Tecnon Lighting Technology from the Shenzhen Pavilion, stated: “At this year’s fair, a buyer from the United Arab Emirates and a US buyer from a leading women’s fashion brand are likely to become our cooperation partners. We expect to generate US$2 million in sales turnover for our company.”

As construction projects in the ASEAN region accelerate, market demand for smart lighting solutions continues to expand. Sambath HK, Manager of RS Decoration from Cambodia, stated, “I travelled here specifically to source lighting products for 14 new commercial building and luxury residential projects. I have already met with over 20 new suppliers and identified two potential partners offering smart street lights, solar lights, and decorative lighting products. I will initially purchase US$100,000 worth of smart street lights.”

Driven by the Belt and Road Initiative, urban development in participating countries and regions are in full swing, fuelling a continuous surge in demand for high-efficiency and smart lighting products. Aigerim Beisekina, Supply Manager of Karelz.kz from Kazakhstan, said: “This is our first time visiting the twin lighting fairs, to find reliable suppliers for a solar-powered stadium and sports lighting for three international schools currently under construction in Kazakhstan. Through the Click2Match business matching platform, we have identified three potential suppliers from the Chinese Mainland and plan to purchase lighting equipment valued between US$600,000 and US$900,000.”

During the fairs, multiple professional events were held, including the Asian Lighting Conference and the Smart Lighting Solutions Forum. Designers and industry representatives from different regions shared market trends, application cases and technological developments, providing forward-looking market insight for the industry.

EXHIBITION+ model sustains post-fair business opportunities

Under the hybrid EXHIBITION+ model, the twin lighting fairs combined in-person sourcing with online meetings via the HKTDC’s Click2Match smart business-matching platform and hktdc.com sourcing platform. Click2Match will be available until 30 April to facilitate discussions between exhibitors and buyers around the world.

Photo download:  https://bit.ly/42m6sqD

Websites

Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition): hklightingfairse.hktdc.com/tc
Smart Lighting Expo: smartlightingexpo.hktdc.com/tc
HKTDC Mediaroom: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

Media enquiries

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Stanley So Tel: (852) 2584 4049 Email: stanley.hp.so@hktdc.org
Navin Law Tel: (852) 2584 4525  Email: navin.cm.law@hktdc.org
Serena Cheung Tel: (852) 2584 4272 Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.org

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.

SINGAPORE, Mar 25, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - CropLife Asia, the regional voice of the plant science industry, last week announced a new lineup for the organization’s Office Bearers within the Board of Directors. Following the CropLife Asia 2026 Annual General Meeting, Ms. Simone Barg was re-installed as President of CropLife Asia with immediate effect.

Ms. Simone Barg, Senior Vice President for BASF Agricultural Solutions Asia Pacific, is a seasoned executive known for her strong growth orientation and commitment to both customers and people. Based in Singapore, she brings more than two decades of experience with BASF, where she has led businesses across B2B and B2C segments and steered major transformation initiatives.

The new roster for the CropLife Asia Office Bearers is as follows:

• Ms. Simone Barg (BASF Agricultural Solutions) – President
• Mr. Paul Luxton (Syngenta) – Vice-President
• Ms. Malu Nachreiner (Bayer Crop Science) – Treasurer
• Ms. Brook Cunningham (Corteva Agriscience) – Secretary
• Mr. Rahoul Sawani (FMC) – Member
• Mr. Dai Ito (Sumitomo) – Member

“I am honored to serve again in this role at such a pivotal moment for agriculture in our region. Our industry plays a vital role in supporting farmers and enabling more sustainable food production. Together with our members and partners, we will continue advancing science-based solutions, keeping farmers at the center, and strengthening the resilience and sustainability of food systems across Asia Pacific,” said Ms. Simone Barg, President of CropLife Asia.

About CropLife Asia

CropLife Asia is a non-profit society and the regional organization of CropLife International, the voice of the global plant science industry. We advocate for a safe, secure food supply, and our vision is food security enabled by innovative agriculture. CropLife Asia supports the work of 15 member associations across the continent and is led by six member companies at the forefront of crop protection, seeds and/or biotechnology research and development. For more information, visit us at www.croplifeasia.org. 

For more information please contact:

Duke Hipp
Director, Public Affairs & Strategic Partnerships 
CropLife Asia
Tel: (65) 8223 3086
duke.hipp@croplifeasia.org