Media OutReach

Grade A Offices: Tenant Advantages Deepen with Greater Flexibility and Choice Greater China Top Office Supply/Demand Trends

Published

3 months ago

28/08/2025

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2025 – Cushman & Wakefield, a leading global real estate services firm, today released its annual Greater China Top Office Supply/Demand Trends report. According to the report, at the end of Q2 2025, the total Grade A office inventory in the core markets of the 20 major cities in Greater China we track totaled 72.1 million sq m. In the meantime, total premium core city office net absorption across the Greater China market for the H1 2025 period reached 0.76 million, a 5.5% y-o-y increase.

Of the six major cities in the region — comprising the tier-1 city group, Hong Kong, and Taipei — Taipei registered the lowest vacancy rate at 7.9%. As for the tier-2 city group, Qingdao recorded the lowest vacancy rate at 24.7%.

The supply/demand rundown for 20 city core area-level markets in Greater China (Q2 2025)
Source: Cushman & Wakefield Research

Shaun Brodie, Head of Research Content, Greater China, Cushman & Wakefield said, “For tenants, the Grade A office market continues to present opportunities, with vacancy rates and rental levels remaining favorable. With landlords adopting a more flexible approach amid the gradual economic recovery, occupiers can continue to benefit from attractive leasing terms and greater choice in the market.”

Jonathan Wei, President, Project and Occupier Services, China, Cushman & Wakefield, commented: “In the next two or three years, there will be a peak in supply in most of the major cities in the Chinese mainland region. Landlords will need to continue to strengthen their market competitiveness to attract tenants.”

Beijing

New Grade A office supply in Beijing in 2024 reached 273,000 sq m, a 55% decrease compared with the full-year 2023, making it the lowest new supply level of the past decade. No new supply entered the Beijing office market in H1 2025, with total Grade A office stock unchanged at 13.68 million sq m for the first half of 2025.

From 2024 to H1 2025, softening rental levels, large leasing deals, and pre-leasing at new entrants boosted citywide net absorption to surpass the previous period performance, reaching 511,967 sq m, up 51.9% y-o-y. The overall office market vacancy rate trended down 1.8 percentage points from the Q4 2023 level to 16.87%.

No new supply is scheduled to enter the Grade A office market in H2 2025. We expect the market to continue to digest existing stock, in turn further pulling down the overall vacancy rate. Landlords’ room for rent concessions is approaching a limit, and the overall market is now in a bottoming-out phase. We expect overall office rents to stabilize by the end of 2025.

Shanghai

From 2024 to H1 2025, approximately 1.34 million sq m of high-quality office space launched in the Shanghai Grade A office market, with 56% of the area located in emerging districts.

Over the past six quarters, the Shanghai Grade A office market recorded average quarterly net absorption of 132,266 sq m. The professional services, retail & trade, and TMT sectors were active in leasing, accounting for the top three sectors for leased area. As at Q2 2025, the vacancy rate rose to 23.6%. In turn, the average monthly rental level fell 8.2% y-o-y to RMB 212.6 per sq m.

From H2 2025 to 2027, Shanghai will see 2.58 million sq m of new supply enter the market, representing 14.6% of current stock, with emerging business districts becoming the main supply hubs. Additionally, favorable policy measures for both demand and supply are being implemented, accelerating innovation in strategic emerging industry fields such as integrated circuits, biomedicine, and AI, optimizing spatial layouts, and injecting new momentum into the office market.

Shenzhen

Shenzhen’s Grade A office market welcomed 516,000 sq m of new supply from Q1 2024 through to Q2 2025, bringing citywide total stock to 8.60 million sq m. The new supply was distributed in Qianhai, Luohu and Futian.

Citywide net absorption for 2024 contracted 57.9% y-o-y to record 165,000 sq m. Citywide net absorption in H1 2025 expanded y-o-y but remained at the similarly low level for the same period in the past decade. The citywide overall vacancy rate has risen 1.7 percentage points since the end of 2023 to reach 27.8%. The Q2 2025 monthly average rental level dropped 14.1% from Q4 2023 to record RMB160.1 sq m.

Approximately 1.2 million sq m of new supply is scheduled to enter the market in the H2 2025 period. The overall vacancy rate is expected to continue to rise, and rents will face downwards pressure in the short- term. With the ongoing development of AI, we anticipate that the Grade A office market will see incremental demand growth driven by the further emergence of high-quality technology sector firms.

Guangzhou

From the beginning of 2024 to the second quarter of 2025, new office projects totaling 441,713 sq m of space were completed. Citywide total stock then expanded to 6.94 million sq m. Delayed deliveries have reduced supply in 2024 compared to 2023, although accelerated construction in the Financial City district led to a resurgence of supply in the first half of 2025.

Compared to the end of 2023, the market has experienced a rise in lease inquiries. Occupiers continue to view renovation and fit-out expense incentives as key factors when looking to sign a new lease. Domestic enterprises remain the key drivers of transaction activity, with TMT, professional services, and finance firms, the top three sectors for leased area citywide.

Ahead, 2.39 million sq m of new space is expected to enter the market by 2027. Headquarter-type properties will account for more than half of the new supply. Market demand continues to evolve, with vacancy rates and rental levels remaining under pressure amid fierce competition.

Chengdu

From 2024 through to H1 2025, Chengdu saw 287,554 sq m of new Grade A office space enter the market, expanding citywide total stock to 3.38 million sq m.

Grade A office net absorption reached 67,468 sq m for the 2024 to H1 2025 period. The TMT, professional services, and finance sectors accounted for 26.4%, 19.6% and 16.8% of total leasing transaction volume by area, respectively. From the end of 2023, new supply combined with weakening leasing demand have now pushed up the citywide vacancy rate by 4.4 percentage points to reach 28.8%, while the average monthly rental level has dropped to RMB89.5 per sq m.

Nearly 1.0 million sq m of new supply is expected to enter the market from H2 2025 to 2027. The supply influx, combined with tenants’ cost reductions, is expected to elevate vacancy and exert downwards pressure on rents. Tenants are likely to seize further opportunities for upgrades, renewals, and consolidation.

Hong Kong

More than 194,000 sq m of new supply entered the market from 2024 through to H1 2025, with 44,900 sq m in H1 2025, distributed approximately equally in core and non-core areas. We forecast upcoming new supply to reach 264,300 sq m in H2 2025.

The average quarterly new leased area reached 84,900 sq m in the 2024 to H1 2025 period, 19% higher than the quarterly average for 2020–2023, with the finance sector primarily driving demand. Net absorption recorded 122,000 sq m for the 2024 to H1 2025 period, excluding pre-lease activities at new project developments.

The recovery of the Hong Kong IPO market should help support market sentiment and downstream office demand, particularly from finance and professional services firms. However, the high availability and ample new supply pipeline, with occupiers still cost-conscious, dictates our forecast for overall office rents to drop by 7% to 9% through the full-year 2025.

Taipei

From 2024 through to the first half of 2025, the Taipei market welcomed seven new Grade A office properties contributing approximately 195,700 sq m of new supply — double the figure seen in 2023. This brought the city’s total Grade A stock to 2.80 million sq m.

Net absorption for 2024 to H1 2025 reached approximately 161,400 sq m, primarily driven by the consolidation and relocation of self-use headquarters in the financial and insurance sectors. Multinational corporations accounted for around 80.9% of total leasing demand, up from 51.6% in 2023, indicating a higher proportion of foreign occupier activity during the period.

Over the next three years, Taipei will add around 968,000 sq m of new Grade A supply. With major completions slated from mid-2025, competition will intensify. In response, some landlords are upgrading facilities and offering flexible lease terms, while developers may adjust timelines based on absorption trends.

Please click here to download the full report

Hashtag: #RealEstate #CommercialProperty #OfficeLeasing #GreaterChina #MarketTrends #CushmanWakefield #PropertyReport #UrbanDevelopment

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices and 60 countries. In Greater China, a network of 23 offices serves local markets across the region. In 2024, the firm reported revenue of $9.4 billion across its core services of Valuation, Consulting, Project & Development Services, Capital Markets, Project & Occupier Services, Industrial & Logistics, Retail, and others. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.hk or follow us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/cushman-&-wakefield-greater-china).

Media OutReach

Payment Options Singapore Secures In-Principle Approval from MAS for Major Payment Institution Licence

Published

17 hours ago

08/12/2025

Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 December 2025 – Payment Options Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based payment solutions provider, is pleased to announce that it has received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for a Major Payment Institution (MPI) licence under the Payment Services Act 2019.

Payment Options Pte Ltd office in Singapore

This milestone underscores Payment Options’ commitment to supporting Singapore’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with simple, secure, and accessible digital payment solutions.

If granted the licence, Payment Options Pte Ltd will be authorised to provide three regulated payment services: Merchant Acquisition, Domestic Money Transfer, and Cross-Border Money Transfer. Through these services, the company aims to empower SMEs with a full suite of payment capabilities — from online payment gateways and QR code payments to the upcoming SoftPOS payments technology — enabling merchants to accept digital payments easily and securely.

“We remain deeply committed to supporting Singapore’s SMEs as they grow and compete in an increasingly digital-first economy. Our vision is to position digital payments as a growth enabler — not a challenge — for small businesses”, said Aaron Yip, Director of Payment Options Pte Ltd. “Our goal is to make digital transactions seamless, secure, and accessible for every business, regardless of size.”

Building on this vision, if the licence is granted, Payment Options will continue to work closely with local merchants, financial institutions, and technology partners to enhance payment accessibility and drive innovation across Singapore’s SME ecosystem.

“We reaffirm our commitment to regulatory compliance and innovation, as we contribute to Singapore’s ongoing journey toward a secure, inclusive, and cash-lite economy.”

The IPA granted by the MAS indicates that a licence may be issued upon the fulfilment of specified conditions and provided there are no material adverse developments affecting the applicant. The IPA does not constitute a licence to provide payment services at this stage, and MAS reserves the right to rescind the approval if it deems appropriate.
Hashtag: #PaymentOptions

https://www.paymentoptions.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/payment-options/
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Payment Options Pte Ltd

Payment Options Pte Ltd is a Singapore-based financial technology company providing innovative and secure payment solutions designed to help SMEs and merchants simplify digital transactions. With a focus on compliance, technology, and customer experience, the company aims to make digital payments accessible for every business.

Media OutReach

Financial Assistance at SIM: Breaking Barriers to Education

Published

18 hours ago

08/12/2025

Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 December 2025 – For many aspiring learners, financial constraints remain one of the biggest obstacles to achieving their goals. SIM is determined to change that. Guided by the principle that no student should be left behind because of cost, SIM has built a comprehensive ecosystem of financial aid, scholarships, and bursaries to make quality education attainable for all.

At the heart of this mission is the SIM Impact Fund, a S$60 million initiative dedicated to empowering students from diverse backgrounds and ensuring that financial hardship never stands in the way of academic or personal growth. By blending need-based assistance with merit-driven opportunities, SIM is creating an inclusive learning environment where talent and ambition define success.

Empowering Learners Through the SIM Impact Fund

In 2024, SIM introduced the SIM Impact Fund, a S$60 million initiative dedicated to supporting students from lower-income households and ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder educational aspirations. Administered through SIM Trust, the fund is designed to empower learners within and beyond SIM’s community by removing barriers to access. Beginning in 2025, Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with a per-capita income of S$1,750 or below can benefit from tiered assistance, ranging from S$6,000 up to S$13,500 for those with PCI of S$600 or less, S$4,500 to S$6,750 for PCI between S$601 and S$1,000, and S$2,000 for PCI between S$1,001 and S$1,750. Beyond tuition aid, the fund also provides support for overseas internships and merit-based scholarships, benefiting approximately 500 students annually.

Beyond Tuition: Comprehensive Financial Aid

SIM’s commitment to learning accessibility goes far beyond tuition subsidies. Through its Financial Assistance schemes, students can tap into a range of support options tailored to different needs. These include Enhanced Bursaries Aid, which provide up to S$13,500 per year for Singapore Citizens, and a SIM GE Crisis Fund offering emergency relief of up to S$5,000 for unforeseen circumstances. In addition, SIM encourages global exposure through Study Abroad Awards, enabling students to broaden their horizons without financial strain. Together, these initiatives reflect SIM’s ethos of inclusivity and resilience, ensuring that financial challenges never derail academic aspirations.

Community-Focused Support

The Dr Richard K M Eu – SIM Social Entrepreneurship Centre (RESSEC) exemplifies SIM’s deep-rooted commitment to community empowerment and social impact. Launched in July 2024 in partnership with the late Dr Eu’s family,

RESSEC received a combined S$8 million donation, S$6 million from the Eu family and S$2 million from SIM, marking a significant investment in nurturing social entrepreneurship. Guided by Dr Eu’s vision of transforming social service through ethical leadership and innovation, the Centre equips learners and social service professionals via initiatives such as a specialised postgraduate Diploma in Social Entrepreneurship, mentorship, and collaborative dialogues.

RESSEC also provides 12 bursaries of S$10,000 each for SIM Global Education students (check that this is accurate and that it’s not also extended to those outside the SIM ecosystem) who demonstrate strong community service and leadership and those with per-capita income up to S$1,750, prioritising those with per-capita income less than S$1,000. Through this initiative, SIM embeds purpose-driven learning into its mission, empowering students to create sustainable, positive impact in Singapore and beyond

Scholarship for Excellence

SIM offers a diverse range of scholarships under SIM Global Education to recognize excellence and resilience among its students. These include the SIM STARRR Award, which provides up to S$36,000 to outstanding achievers who demonstrate academic distinction and leadership qualities, and the Sports & Arts Talent Award, also valued at S$15,000 for students who excel in athletic or artistic pursuits. Additionally, the Chairman’s Award for Resilience grants S$3,000 to students who successfully balance work and study commitments, showcasing perseverance in the face of challenges. Together, these scholarships complement SIM’s need-based financial aid, creating a holistic support system that rewards merit while ensuring inclusivity.

Conclusion: Building a Future Without Barriers

SIM’s financial assistance framework is more than a set of policies, it is a promise to the community. By investing in initiatives like the SIM Impact Fund and expanding bursaries and scholarships, SIM is actively dismantling the barriers that prevent talented individuals from reaching their potential. This approach does not just benefit students, it strengthens society by cultivating a diverse pool of graduates equipped to lead, innovate, and give back. In a world where education often comes with a hefty price tag, SIM stands out as a beacon of accessibility and empowerment. For students and families seeking assurance that quality education is within reach, SIM offers not just hope but a clear, actionable path forward.

References:

Bursaries & Financial Aid (Enhanced) – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/bursaries-and-financial-aids
Dr Richard K M Eu – SIM Social Entrepreneurship Centre (RESSEC) – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/sim-global-education/ressec
The Dr Richard K M Eu – SIM Social Entrepreneurship Centre (RESSEC) Opens to Advance Singapore’s Social Sector – https://www.sim.edu.sg/news-events/the-dr-richard-k-m-eu-sim-social-entrepreneurship-centre-%28ressec%29-opens
SIM Scholarship – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/scholarships
SIM’s STARRR Award – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/scholarships/sim-starrr-award-for-new-undergraduate-students
SIM Award and Sports & Artistic Award – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/scholarships/sim-global-education-scholarship
SIM Global Education Diploma Scholarships – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/scholarships/sim-global-education-diploma-scholarships
Chairman’s Award for Resilience – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/admissions/scholarships/chairman-s-award-for-resilience

Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About SIM Global Education

SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 16,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 36% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.

SIM GE’s holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.

For more information on SIM Global Education, visit sim.edu.sg

Media OutReach

Beyond Academic Excellence: SIM Scholarships Champion Leadership, Resilience, and Talent

Published

1 day ago

07/12/2025

Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 December 2025 – The Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) is proud to reaffirm its commitment to developing future-ready graduates through a comprehensive scholarship framework that goes beyond academic achievement. These scholarships are designed to recognize and nurture qualities such as leadership, resilience, and talent. These attributes are essential for success in today’s dynamic global environment.

For decades, scholarships have been synonymous with academic excellence. SIM is redefining this narrative by adopting a holistic approach that values character, contribution, and courage alongside academic performance. This initiative reflects SIM’s mission to prepare graduates who are adaptable, innovative, and socially responsible.

Scholarships That Go Beyond Academics

SIM’s scholarship ecosystem reflects its belief that success is multidimensional. Rather than focusing solely on grades, these awards celebrate qualities such as resilience, leadership, and talent. The SIM STARRR Award, for instance, supports freshmen who embody Resilience, Resourcefulness, and Responsibility, offering up to S$36,000 in tuition fees, along with living and exchange allowances, without any bond requirement.

For students who shine in sports or the arts, the SIM Award & Sports/Artistic Talent Award provides S$15,000, disbursed in two tranches, to help them balance academic and extracurricular excellence.

International students pursuing diploma programmes can benefit from the Diploma Scholarships, which cover up to 100% of course fees for academic excellence or 50% for merit-based achievements.

For working adults who have overcome significant challenges, the SIM Chairman’s Award for Resilience offers S$3,000, recognizing perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.

Stories That Inspire

SIM’s scholarships are more than financial aid. They are catalysts for transformation, opening doors for students to turn challenges into triumphs. Take Ernita Tanudjaja, an international student who refused to let pandemic disruptions derail her ambitions. Instead, she leveraged technology to livestream events and boost engagement, showcasing resilience and resourcefulness.

Similarly, Chow Kah Ying, an ICU nurse, managed the intense demands of frontline healthcare during COVID-19 while completing her degree, showcasing perseverance and purpose. Likewise, Michelle Seah transformed O-level failure into triumph, excelling in javelin and academics to earn the SIM Sports & Artistic Talent Award, proof that determination and discipline can rewrite any story.

These journeys reflect SIM’s unwavering belief that leadership and resilience matter as much as grades, and that true achievement lies in character and contribution as much as in academic performance.

The Broader Vision

SIM’s scholarships represent more than financial assistance. They serve as a strategic platform for transformation and growth. Recipients benefit from networking opportunities that connect them with alumni and industry leaders, fostering mentorship and career development. Many scholarships also provide international exposure through exchange programmes that broaden perspectives and enhance global competencies.

In addition to academic achievement, students cultivate essential life skills such as leadership, resilience and adaptability through experiential learning and community engagement. These qualities equip graduates to excel in uncertain environments and contribute meaningfully to society.

This commitment reflects SIM’s core belief that education is not limited to examinations. It is about shaping leaders who create impact and drive positive change in a rapidly evolving world.

References: