• The Annual Lecture 2019 keynote was delivered by Professor Todd Sinai from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
• Professor Sinai noted the impact of the US Fed’s latest round of rate cuts on the real estate sector and delved into how technological disruptions are shaping the future of real estate

SINGAPORE – The second Mapletree Annual Lecture held at Singapore Management University (SMU) on 31 October 2019 featured an opportunity for the audience to hear from a distinguished keynote speaker and real estate expert, Professor Todd Sinai. Professor Sinai, who is the David B. Ford Professor, Professor of Real Estate, Business Economics & Public Policy, and Chair of the Real Estate Department from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, shared his insights into the recent trends on real estate markets and the implications for real estate investment trust (REIT) investors.

The Annual Lecture is part of the Mapletree Real Estate Programme, which is a multi-faceted initiative that has been made possible by a generous gift from Mapletree Investments (“Mapletree” or “the Group”) to SMU in January 2018. The gift goes towards the establishment of the Mapletree Professorship in Real Estate, Mapletree Awards, Mapletree Real Estate Business Study Trip Grant, as well as the Annual Lecture and Speaker Events.
  
The 260-strong audience comprised students, academics, industry professionals and members of the public. 

During his lecture, Professor Sinai explained what the US Fed’s latest round of rate cuts would mean for real estate. He also provided perspective on how technological disruptions such as the expanding e-commerce sector and increased need for digital networks, are affecting real estate sectors in the United States and around the world.

The rising trend of S-REIT managers adopting a global acquisition strategy set the foundation for a fruitful panel discussion of both the local and international real estate industry with the following invited panelists: 
• Ms Choo Oi Yee, Managing Director, Head of Singapore Global Banking, UBS AG
• Mr Mark Chu, Managing Director, Co-Head of Asia Pacific, Eastdil Secured
• Mr Michael Smith, Regional Chief Executive Officer, Europe and USA, Mapletree Investments
• Professor Todd Sinai, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
The panel discussion was moderated by Professor Gerard George, Dean of SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business.

Delivering his opening remarks, Mr Wong Mun Hoong, Chairman of the SMU Real Estate Programme Advisory Board and Regional Chief Executive Officer, Australia & North Asia of Mapletree Investments, said “Professor Sinai’s thoughts on how macroeconomic trends could affect REIT investors and their portfolio was particularly apt, given that Singapore has the largest REIT market in Asia, excluding Japan. We are very encouraged to see these constructive discussions take place, fulfilling the objectives of the Mapletree Real Estate Programme.” 

The next Mapletree Annual Lecture will be held in November 2020.

Selected photos from the Mapletree-SMU Real Estate Forum as below (high-res here)
Photo credit: Please use ‘SMU’ or ‘Singapore Management University’.

Professor Todd Sinai from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, delivering his keynote lecture.

Panel discussion during the Mapletree Annual Lecture 2019.

Mr Hiew Yoon Khong (left), Group CEO, Mapletree Investments, presenting the token-of-appreciation to Professor Todd Sinai (right), Key note speaker for the second Mapletree Annual Lecture on 31 October 2019.

(From L-R): 1. Professor Francis Koh, Mapletree Professor of Real Estate; Professor of Finance; and Special Advisor, Office of the President, SMU 2. Mr Chua Tiow Chye, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer, Mapletree Investments 3. Ms Choo Oi Yee, Managing Director, Head of Singapore Global Banking, UBS AG 4. Professor Todd Sinai, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania 5. Mr Hiew Yoon Khong, Group Chief Executive Officer, Mapletree Investments 6. Professor Timothy Clark, Provost, SMU 7. Mr Mark Chu, Managing Director, Co-Head of Asia Pacific, Eastdil Secured 8. Mr Michael Smith, Regional Chief Executive Officer, Europe and USA, Mapletree Investments 9. Mr Wong Mun Hoong, Chairman of the SMU Real Estate Programme Advisory Board and Regional Chief Executive Officer, Australia & North Asia of Mapletree Investments 10. Professor Gerard George, Dean, Lee Kong Chian School of Business and Lee Kong Chian Chair Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, SMU 11. Mr Wan Kwong Weng, Group Chief Corporate Officer, Mapletree Investments