Redevelopment: Ft. McPherson will include a 127-acre Science and Technology Park with 3.5 Million square feet of office and lab space and 1,780 residential units in a campus-style environment.  The Strategic Plan (as first laid forth by Jack Sprott – Executive Director of MPLRA) will include a Bioscience Employment Center, a VA Clinic, a historic district, and other High-Density Mixed-use.

Latest News: Results from the two proposals submitted for the first phase of redevelopment will be decided at the next McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority “MILRA”  Board meeting on February 2, 2012. The two teams, Cousins and Carter where Cousins Properties, The Integral Group, and Forest City Enterprises and where Carter consists of H.J. Russell & Co. and Carter, have submitted bids in response to the November 21, 2011 Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the first 113-acre parcel/phase.

Other Interesting Links:

• Mayor Kasim Reed says Airport  ”greatest advantage”  for Atlanta
• Fort McPherson Outreach and Landuse Plan (2007)
• Carter, Cousins teams vie for Fort McPherson
• Gov’s office: too early to say which agencies moving to Ft McPherson
• McPherson historical housing quarters

Year of the Rabbit hops out of the way on Chinese New Year

You might have already celebrated the new year three weeks ago, but if you are Chinese or from one of many countries in Southeast Asia you will celebrate this weekend.

Sunday is New Year’s Eve, when the year of the rabbit ends and the year of the dragon is ushered in. You probably won’t hear fireworks at midnight or see the excitement on the streets of Springfield, but for Johnny and Kiki Tang, as well as others who now live in the Ozarks, there will be a celebration.

The Tangs will host a party for family and friends at CreAsian, a new Chinese restaurant they recently opened at Chestnut Expressway and Campbell Avenue. If they were in China, they would be traveling to their hometowns to share New Year’s Eve with family, then visit friends and neighbors, watch parades and dragon dances, set off firecrackers and watch fireworks every day for 15 days.

In China and much of Southeast Asia, the New Year celebration is the biggest holiday of the year, akin to our Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year all rolled into one.  (From News-Leader.com)

Other helpful links:

• More information from “infoplease” regarding Year of the Dragon
• Hong Kong Chinese New Year Celebrations
• More info from Sichuan China
• Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Festival and Parade - San Fransisco – Saturday Feb 11 2012
• 2012 Chinese New Year in Washington DC
• Zodiac signs and elements from Wikipedia.org
• Large format celebration Image/Background
• More celebratory images from Google Pics

ATLANTA – While many hoteliers are feeling angst and uncertainty caused by intimidating macroeconomic conditions, PKF Hospitality Research (PKF-HR) is assertively forecasting the continued recovery of the U.S. lodging industry. How well you do in 2012, however, will vary depending upon the price of your room and where you are located. According to the recently released December 2011 edition of Hotel Horizons(R), PKF-HR forecasts that rooms revenue (RevPAR) for U.S. hotels will rise 8.1 percent in 2011, and increase another 6.1 percent in 2012.

“Analyzing the performance of U.S. hotels in 2010 and 2011, we have seen the progression of indicators that one would expect during an industry recovery. Occupancy levels increased in 2010, followed by real average daily rate (ADR) growth in 2011,” said R. Mark Woodworth, president of PKF-HR. “The only surprise has been the pace and magnitude of the surge in hotel demand.”

Of greater importance is the future direction of lodging industry performance. “Looking forward, we are seeing familiar signs along the road to recovery. Owners and operators are now focused on more aggressive pricing policies, which in turn will translate into strong growth in hotel profits. We believe market conditions during the next few years will allow them to achieve these goals,” notes Woodworth.  (from Market Watch, WSJ…)

]]> http://www.danielldevelopment.com/2011/09/22/3609/feed/ 0 http://www.danielldevelopment.com/2011/09/03/what-is-dragon-mart-largest-chinese-manufacturers-marketplace/ http://www.danielldevelopment.com/2011/09/03/what-is-dragon-mart-largest-chinese-manufacturers-marketplace/#comments Sat, 03 Sep 2011 15:50:43 +0000 editor http://www.danielldevelopment.com/?p=3590 DragonMart is located in Dubai International City, UAE and is one of 12 malls in Dubai.  It is a specialized gateway for the supply of Chinese products in the Middle Eastern and North African Markets.  It offers Chinese manufacturers a unique platform from which to cater to the needs of this sizeable market and is the largest trading center for Chinese products outside mainland China, is over 1.6 Million Square Feet (almost 40 acres) and has nearly 4,000 shopes that are direct from the manufacturer. also acting as a distribution center, with more than 2,500 parking spaces, and divided into into seven zones offering an array of high quality facilities for visitors and traders alike, and has both valet service inside as well as electric carts for shopping in the immense space.

Dragon Mart is located in International City in Dubai that has the following residential districts: Emirates, Perisa, Greece, Spain, Morocco, England, France, Italy, Russia and China.  Each zone is a precinct with architectural elements of design for the country it represents.  This area also has a Vegetable and Fruit Mall, a Lake District, a Central District and Forbidden City.  Central District is the business area and Forbidden City is the entertainment area with retail, restaurants, public areas all in a Chinese theme.

Interesting Links on Dragon Mart, Dubai:

• Overview of Layout (In shape of Dragon)
• Front Entrance of Dragon Mart
• Map View of Dragon Mart (Satellite)

More on Dragon Mart:

• New Plans to Double Size
• DragonMart Website
• Images of Mall from Google

Pakistan points and facts:

• Reducing minimum foreign equity threshold from US$ 0.5 million to US$ 0.3 million.
• Remittance of royalty, technology and franchise fee allowed to projects in social, service, infrastructure, agriculture and international chains food franchise.
• Zero import duties on capital goods, plant and machinery and equipment not manufactured locally. CBR can supply a list of locally manufactured good. In case of doubt the investor is invited to consult the BOI.
• Enhanced FYA from 50% to 75% of PME for infrastructure and agriculture projects.
• The import tariff on agriculture machinery (not manufactured locally) for registered corporate agricultural projects will be zero-rated.
• The investors who invest in the newly opened sectors can import plant, machinery & equipment (not manufactured locally) at concessional rate of customs duty which is 10% and also avail first year allowance @ of 50% of the cost of plant, machinery & equipment.
• Zero import duties on raw materials used in the production of exports.Five Reasons to Invest in Pakistan (among many others!!)

1. Abundant Land and Natural Resources: Extensive agricultural land, Crop production (wheat, cotton, rice, fruit and vegetables), Mineral reserves (coal, crude oil, natural gas, copper, iron ore, gypsum, etc.), Fisheries and livestock production 2. Strong Human Resources: English speaking work force, Cost-effective managers and technical workers, 3. Large and Growing Domestic Market: 160 million consumers with growing incomes, growing middle-class moving to sophisticated consumption habits 4. Well-Established Infrastructure and Legal Systems: Comprehensive road, rail and sea links, Good quality telecommunications and IT services, Modern company laws, Long-standing corporate culture 5. Strategic Location as a Regional Hub: Principal gateway to the Central Asia Republics, Strong and long-standing links with the Middle East and South Asia, Comprehensive duty-free facilities for investors from InvestInPakistan. org Other Links:

• Pakistan invite to Japan
• Pakistan Foreign Investment Project List
• Pakistan Premier Investment Group: BMA
• Pakistan Import Green Technologies
• Paikstan Kuwait Investment Company
• Pakistan New Investment from Korea
• Pakistan Hydro Dam Projects: Contact us here

Download Investment Documents:  (from other sites)

• Direct Investment in Pakistan, IDCAC, VIP, Adjacent Developing Countries of China
• Green Technology Report from BMA, Oil and Gas Pakistan report from BMA
• BMA Pakistan Outlook 2011

1. “Vietnam may be the fastest growing of emerging economies by 2025, with a potential growth rate of almost 10% per annum in real dollar terms that could push it up to around 70% of the size of the UK economy by 2050.”  (Wikipedia)
2. “…Exports during the January-March period will likely reach $18.8 billion, a 29.7% increase from the same period in 2010.” Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung (WSJ)
3. “Vietnam’s economy could expand at a pace of between 6.5 percent and 7.0 percent this year” (Reuters)

With India and China leading the way, the recent recession has underlined the emergence of Asia as a global economic powerhouse, says an IMF official.  “Based on expected trends, within five years Asia’s economy (including Australia and New Zealand) will be about 50 percent larger than it is today (in purchasing-power-parity terms), account for more than a third of global output, and be comparable in size to the economies of the US and Europe,” IMF director, Asia and Pacific Department, Anoop Singh said.

“By 2030, Asian gross domestic product (GDP) will exceed that of the Group of Seven major industrial economies (G-7),” Singh wrote in the issue of IMF’s Finance and Development.  “Several dynamic economies in the region are generating growth outcomes that register on a global scale and are helping pull the world economy out of recession.  From Vietnam Business News…

Links:

• Vietnam’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP in USD from Google PD)
• “Economy of Vietnam” from Wikipedia
• GDP Country Comparison from Index Mundi
• Map of Vietnam and information from US Department of State
• Tensions between China and Vietnam…
• Vietnam: An emerging economic powerhouse?

More Media Links:

• Vietnomics (published from 2009)
• YouTube: Vietnam on bumpy road to economic power

Cyprus:

Cyprus: The offshore regime in Cyprus has changed as part of the island’s accession to the EU, and as a result of agreements with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Cyprus was excluded from the OECD’s June 2000 ‘harmful’ tax haven blacklist in return for pledging a commitment to amend its tax practices. In April 2009, Cyprus was placed on the OECD ‘white list’ of territories which have ’substantially implemented’ the internationally agreed standard in tax transparency.  In July, 2002, as part of the Income Tax Act No. 118(I) of 2002, Parliament approved a uniform 10% corporate tax rate, to apply to both onshore and offshore companies, plus a 2% levy on wage bills (meant to subsidise pensioners), and a ‘Special Contribution’ related to defence which in effect applies the 10% corporate tax rate to inter-company dividend and interest payments. However, the rules are complex.  The 10% corporate tax gives Cyprus one of the lowest rates in the EU, alongside Ireland (12.5%), with the exception of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey, which have all announced a nil rate – but these islands are not in the EU anyway for most purposes.  The new regime introduced a ‘residence’-based system of taxation, and was in operation from 1st January 2003.  from Global Tax and Business Portal…

• Something interesting: Non-Aligned Movement…
• Turkish Invasion of Cyprus (note: Turks already lived there)
• Cyprus Tourism Org (Official)
• World Factbook on Cyrpus (Central Intelligence Agency, US)
• Capital – Nicosia

]]> http://www.danielldevelopment.com/2011/06/24/offshore-investment-accounts-seychelles-belize-or-cyprus-3/feed/ 0 http://www.danielldevelopment.com/2011/06/18/offshore-investment-accounts-seychelles-belize-or-cyprus-2/ http://www.danielldevelopment.com/2011/06/18/offshore-investment-accounts-seychelles-belize-or-cyprus-2/#comments Sat, 18 Jun 2011 17:48:51 +0000 editor http://www.danielldevelopment.com/?p=3539 Belize: Noted American writer Bruce Barcott describes Belize thus: “Belize is a tiny nation tucked between Guatemala, Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. It is firmly attached to Central America but considers itself a Caribbean island. For more than a hundred years Belize was known as British Honduras, one of the most remote outposts of the British Empire, which explains why it is the only Latin American nation to embrace English as its official language. Belize goes unnoticed by the rest of the world, and over the years the country has parlayed its obscurity into an attractive asset. For those shipwrecked on the shoals of life, Belize offers a new beginning.” – from Belize.com….

Belize (formerly British Honduras) located in the northernmost Central America is bordered to the north by Mexico, south and wet by Guatemala, and is on the Caribbean Sea.   English is the official language and has the lowest population density in Central America but is growing very quickly.   Also is known for its Diving and Fishing, plus the 1,000 foot falls (image here).

Regarding Offshore Banking, Accounts, and Conduits in Belize;

1. Belize provides same-day offshore incorporations as standard. It will often take only a few hours.
2. Turn back the clock. Belize is 14 hours behind Hong Kong, and 7 hours behind London.  when You are really pressed to have your offshore IBC registered TODAY, but your “today” has already expired, you can still get your incorporation done under today`s date – in Belize!
3. Belize is the only country in Central and South America with English being its official language.
4. Belize has a modern International Business Companies Act, Trusts Act, Mutual Funds Act and Offshore Banking Act, all geared towards providing the best environment and offshore benefits to the international investor and entrepreneur. These laws are supported by an efficient financial services sector.
5. Belize does not disclose information under any information-exchange agreements to any foreign parties on grounds of suspected tax evasion or similar grounds. Client confidentiality is strongly enshrined in the Belizean business legislation.
6. In these terms, Belize is arguably the most secure and confidential offshore jurisdiction. For more information on the offshore benefits of Belize, please go to Belize offshore company description.

Other information about Belize:

• Benefits of offshore account in Belize…
• Upcoming Expo 2011 marketplace (Sept 17, 18 2011)
• CCLOGIC thread regarding comparison
• 1287 Customs Reform Modernization Mods…

]]> http://www.danielldevelopment.com/2011/06/18/offshore-investment-accounts-seychelles-belize-or-cyprus-2/feed/ 0 http://www.danielldevelopment.com/2011/06/15/offshore-investment-accounts-seychelles-belize-or-cyprus/ http://www.danielldevelopment.com/2011/06/15/offshore-investment-accounts-seychelles-belize-or-cyprus/#comments Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:29:13 +0000 editor http://www.danielldevelopment.com/?p=3529 Offshore investment is the keeping of money in a jurisdiction other than one’s country of residence. Offshore jurisdictions are a commonly accepted solution to reducing tax burdens levied in most countries to both large and small scale investors alike. Poorly regulated offshore domiciles have served historically as havens for tax evasion, money laundering, or to conceal or protect illegally acquired money from law enforcement in the investor’s country. However, the modern, well-regulated offshore centres allow legitimate investors to take advantage of higher rates of return or lower rates of tax on that return offered by operating via such domiciles. The advantage to offshore investment is that such operations are both legal and less costly than the solutions offered in the investor’s country – or “onshore”. Locations favored by investors for low rates of tax are known as offshore financial centers or (sometimes) tax havens.  (from Wikipedia.org…)

Today we will not focus on the most popular offshore conduits, like BVI or Bermuda, but will focus on the smaller, lesser known (in the USA esp.) such as Seychelles (off Indian Ocean), Cyprus (off Greece/Turkey), and Belize (South America).  Let’s see which one is best for offshore conduit from the USA.

First lets us look at the beautiful beaches of Seychelles, pronounced (say – SHELZ) which consists of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, east of Africa.  Official language is French then English.   Here are some beautiful pictures of the islands and beaches…

Benefits of Seychelles Incorporation:

• Incorporation fees are fixed for life. Even if the annual renewal fees are increased in the future, a company incorporated before such an increase came into effect will not be 18affected adversely;
• IBC pays no taxes in Seychelles other than the Government License fee;
• annual reporting (accounting, auditing) not required for IBC’s;
• Accounts need not be kept; however, if they are kept there is no requirement for an audit;
• There is no minimum capital requirement; shares may be either registered or bearer and may be issued in any currency;
• Shares can be issued with or without par value;
• only one shareholder and one director is required. Their particulars do not appear on public record. Moreover, we could provide nominees to maintain owner’s confidentiality;
• Shareholders, directors and officers need not be resident in the Seychelles and there is no stipulation as to their nationality;
• Directors and/or officers can be either corporate entities or natural persons;
• there is no foreign exchange control;
• it takes only 24 hours to incorporate an offshore company in Seychelles and the fees are the lowest on the Internet;
• Speedy incorporation procedures and simple ongoing administration;
• Shareholders and directors meetings need not be held in the Seychelles, can be held by telephone, may attended by proxy;
• The Memorandum and Articles of Association are the only documents to be held on the public record;
• There is no requirement to register initial or ongoing changes in directors and/or officers;
• IBC’s may engage in any lawful business in any country and may carry on transactions in whatever currencies they choose;
• Not highlighted by OECD;
• Not yet widely perceived as a tax haven;
• Fee anniversary is 12 months from incorporation, not December 31st

Something Cool to Watch on Videa about Seychelles: Swimming Horses on Beach!

Also, click here to learn more about offshore accounts, conduits, and Planning Offshore via Investment Funds

]]> http://www.danielldevelopment.com/2011/06/15/offshore-investment-accounts-seychelles-belize-or-cyprus/feed/ 0 http://www.danielldevelopment.com/2011/06/06/eb-5-bridge-for-owners-equity-in-hotel-projects/ http://www.danielldevelopment.com/2011/06/06/eb-5-bridge-for-owners-equity-in-hotel-projects/#comments Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:32:53 +0000 editor http://www.danielldevelopment.com/?p=3515 The U.S Immigration Department has Proposed Significant Updates to EB-5 Visa Processing:  Congress created the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program in 1990 to create jobs and spur investment in the United States.  The EB-5 program is available to prospective immigrants who invest in a new commercial enterprise that will create at least 10 full-time jobs in the United States.  EB-5 investors may petition to participate either on their own or under a USCISdesignated “Regional Center.”  Regional Centers are public or private entities that promote economic growth, regional productivity, job creation, and capital investment.  USCIS accepts petitions for interested investors on Form I-526 and applications for Regional Center designation on Form I-924.

EB-5 Money works well in China for Visa purposes.  In many cases Visa processing can take many months and up to years for approval.  The EB-5 program allows a more efficient process, allowing Chinese and other international business-oriented investors to gain a permanent Visa, invest in the US, and to earn returns on this investment.

• Proposed Changes to USCIS’S Processing of EB-5: Changes to EB-5 program
• From Portfolio: More information and report…
• From USCIS.gov: Overview and description…
• EB-5 Visa from Wikipedia: Immigration Act of 1990

For more information on how EB-5 and other private placements can bridge your equity gap, on why municipal and other bonds are a good idea, and how we can help, please contact us…

About $85.7 billion in loans were being worked out by special servicers as of the first quarter, down from the peak of $91.2 billion in the second quarter of 2010. The volume of such debt has been declining the last three quarters.  “Improving market conditions are slowing the velocity of loans transferring into special servicing,” Fitch Managing Director Stephanie Petosa said.

-By Matt Jarzemsky, Dow Jones Newswires, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commercial_mortgage-backed_security

Other Stories:  Tepid Regulatory Response to Loan Crisis Hinders Recovery Current Reaction Lacks RTC’s Aggressive Response to S&L Crisis by Kent Laber

Other Reports: Discovering-Distressed-Assets-White-Paper CMBS analysis whitepaper by Benjamin Polen, Newman Real Estate Institute, Baruch College