Economic growth in China for 2009 slowed to 9 percent, the lowest rate of growth in the past seven years. The world’s third largest economy was hit hard by the financial and economic crisis that has hit the rest of the world, and western importers of Chinese goods, particularly hard.   For the first half of 2008, growth was 10.6 percent, but that slowed considerably in the final quarter to 6.8 percent....

Downtown New Zealand is about to see a dearth of new properties, according to a recent report in the New Zealand Herald newspaper. However, several new developments have just finished or are about to, so this is an excellent opportunity to get New Zealand city property while there is still time.   The Federal apartment building, located at 207 Federal Street in Auckland, has recently been completed and...

Etihad Airways and Bangkok Airways have combined to form a new codeshare agreement for flights between Etihad’s increasing destinations and the Thai destinations of Phuket and Koh Samui. Under the agreement, Etihad will have its two letter EY code on Bangkok Airway’s flights between Bangkok and the popular Thai island destinations.   This new announcement will help Etihad, one of the newest and...

The old dock area of Antwerp, which was long ago replaced with larger and newer port facilities, has become a popular location for residential property buyers in the city. The area is known locally as the Eilandje and has well known street names such as Nassau, Madras, Riga and Naples.   Now under construction is a spiral shaped city museum which is the center of the dock area’s rejuvenation. It is...

A castle that was once ruled over by Charlemagne on the border of Tuscany and Umbria is for sale. The castle sits on a hill with approximately 32 acres of land. There are five buildings in the circular formation and they are surrounded by olive groves and woodlands. There are also restored battlements with gun ports and a dungeon for those who need such amenities.   In addition to its famous ruler, the...

Despite the economic slowdown in many parts of the world, tourism to Indonesia was very good in 2008, according to recent announcements. Indonesia’s Tourism and Culture Minister Jero Wacik said that there were increases in both foreign tourists and foreign exchange revenue for 2008.   “The number of foreign tourists until the end of 2008 is predicted to reach more than 6 million, up by 16.85 percent...

Housing starts in the United States are expected to fall to record low levels in 2009, according to recent news. At the International Builders Show being held in Las Vegas, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) predicted that single family housing starts will drop to about 441,000 for 2009. That is the lowest number on record, and nearly 75 percent below the record high of 1.7 million homes that...

If you haven’t made plans to visit Rio de Janiero for the 2009 Carnival, there’s still time. This year’s Carnival celebration begins on February 20th and ends on Fat Tuesday, February 24th. The party is a great time to have some fun in the sun, and also a good time to see what is so intriguing about Brazil. For those interested in international property, it’s an ideal time to combine business with...

SafMus Holdings of Dubai has purchased the island of Great Britain in Dubai’s The World development. The sales price for the 11 acre island is a reported US$ 63.3 million. The developer plans to construct a mix of residences, hotels and commercial projects on the island with a reflection of British architectural influences.   Safi Qurashi, a partner in the venture, grew up in London and notes that the...

The Caribbean Island of St Kitts is about to receive a boost with the construction of luxury hotel and residences planned for Christophe Harbour.   On the southern end of the spectacular Caribbean island of St. Kitts is one of the most luxurious resorts to be found anywhere, Christophe Harbour. Set on some 2,600 acres of dramatic landscape at the southern end of St. Kitts, the resort has 13 miles of...