Latest news with #coastaldevelopment
South China Morning Post
02-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Why President Xi Jinping sees China's marine economy as a national priority
President Xi Jinping has stressed the need to advance the 'high-quality development' of China's marine economy, highlighting its growing strategic importance during a high-level economic meeting on Tuesday. He also called for stronger policy support to accelerate the sector's growth. In this explainer, the Post examines why the marine economy matters to the country's overall economic strategy, where government policy is heading, and which sectors stand to benefit. Why does the marine economy matter to China? China's marine gross domestic product exceeded 10 trillion yuan for the first time in 2024, accounting for 7.8 per cent of national GDP – a milestone the government called 'a truly remarkable achievement'. The progress came after decades of investment in marine industries, which are now entering a pre-boom phase, said Hu Zhenyu, a senior research fellow at the China Development Institute, a think tank based in Shenzhen. The marine economy plays an increasingly important role in job creation, food security and coastal development. But to fully unlock its potential, further support is needed. Which sectors belong to the marine economy?
Associated Press
30-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
The Bouzy Group Announces Westin-Branded Residences Near Panama City, Offering New Investment Opportunities in Coastal Real Estate
PANAMA CITY, PANAMA, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Bouzy Group has announced the upcoming launch of The Residences by Westin, Playa Bonita, a new coastal development located just 15 minutes from Panama City. Developed in partnership with Empresas Bern, the project introduces 448 fully serviced residences situated between the Pacific Ocean and the tropical jungle of Playa Bonita. This marks the first time a Westin-branded beachfront condo-hotel has entered the Panamanian market, offering a combination of hotel-grade amenities and private ownership. The residences are designed for both full-time living and income-generating rental opportunities, catering to the increasing demand for short- and long-term stays in Panama. Residential Investment Starting at $400,000 USD With starting prices at $400,000 USD, the development presents a relatively accessible entry point for luxury real estate within a globally recognized hospitality brand. Each residence includes access to a range of amenities aligned with Westin's hospitality standards, such as: On-site property management will be provided, allowing for hands-off ownership and consistent rental oversight for buyers focused on return on investment. Location and Market Outlook Positioned within Palma Bonita, a growing private coastal enclave, the project benefits from new infrastructure developments and proximity to the Panama Canal. The area's popularity among digital nomads, retirees, and corporate travelers is contributing to increasing rental activity and capital appreciation. The combination of brand recognition, dollarized currency, and strategic location is drawing interest from investors seeking real estate assets with long-term value stability. For floor plans, availability, or to schedule a private tour, contact [email protected] or visit their website at About The Bouzy Group The Bouzy Group is a real estate consulting and development firm specializing in luxury and hospitality-driven projects across Latin America and the Caribbean. Known for curating high-value investment opportunities backed by strategic partnerships, The Bouzy Group connects international buyers with emerging real estate markets. With a focus on transparency, service, and long-term value, the firm provides guidance across every stage of the real estate journey from acquisition to ownership and beyond. Reggie Bouzy The Bouzy Group [email protected]
ABC News
09-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Wide Bay beachside communities experience unprecedented growth
Thousands of beachside blocks are hitting the market in regional Queensland as sleepy coastal towns grapple with population growth and changing identities. The Wide Bay region, about 400 kilometres north of Brisbane, is home to sleepy beachside suburbs thrust into a major transformation from rural farmland to residential subdivisions. Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn said about 5,000 housing lots were under construction on the 15-kilometre coastal stretch between Elliott Heads and Bargara. "That's significant … that will change the face of our region," she said. The communities are in high demand from southerners and retirees, with approvals for more than 2,000 additional retirement and over 50s dwellings. "People have found out the secret of our Bundaberg coastline, our beautiful waterways, and our clean, fresh environment," Cr Blackburn said. "There's no doubt that it will grow and grow substantially in the next few years." Not everyone is retired. Shantara Manulat, who recently moved from the Gold Coast, operates a coffee van near Innes Park. "Everyone's so welcoming, I've made so many friends being here and yeah, I'm just loving it, I wouldn't go back," the 27-year-old said. She said it was an easier place to run a business because there was less competition. She said it was also a more affordable location to live. The median house price in the Wide Bay region, which incorporates Bundaberg, has risen to $611,000, according to the latest Proptrack report. At the southern fringe of the region, the Fraser Coast is also experiencing similar growth with $3 billion in commercial projects approved by the council in 2024. A master-planned community with more than 1,600 home sites is expected to be built at Dundowran Beach in the next decade. Some of the more controversial approvals, including an 18-storey high-rise development on the Esplanade at Hervey Bay, have sparked debate over the urbanisation of the area. "I'm not against development but it needs to be in the right places," resident Ross Horne said. While many locals supported the growth, there were concerns that roads and infrastructure would not cope with the increase in traffic. Near Bundaberg, Bargara café owner Joey Caruana said he wanted to see the state government invest in schools and sporting infrastructure. "The growth of soccer clubs, athletics, nippers … there's a need for a sporting base," he said. "A multi-purpose facility where we can have footy, hockey, netball, all the things that young families want." Earlier this year the state government announced a $2 billion Regional Activation Fund, with half of the money to be spent on upgrading roads, drainage and other infrastructure in rural areas. The first round of funding is to be issued to councils from July. "We're aware that we need to try to make sure that our roads are maintained so that we can keep up with the traffic … and we need to make sure that we have enough hospital staff, policing staff," Cr Blackburn said. She said finding qualified tradespeople was another issue. "I would say at this point in time we're probably a bit stretched in terms of the labour market," she said. Despite the challenges, Cr Blackburn said the coastal expansion was necessary to help attract families and professionals to move from south-east Queensland. "Every place needs to grow, and we need new ideas and new people so that we can have those eateries and those shops that we desperately would like to have in our region," she said.
