You have as many opportunities in China as there are places: CapitaLand China Trust’s CEO

CapitaLand China Trust (CLCT), Singapore’s largest China-focused real estate investment trust (REIT), is still keen on the market despite the ongoing trade tensions with the United States. CLCT’s chief executive officer Gerry Chan shares why he is optimistic in this week’s kopi-C.

Even at this pivotal and volatile moment in the world economy, when geopolitics have thrown trade relationships into doubt, China remains a good bet in the long term, says Gerry Chan, chief executive officer of the manager of CLCT. The China-focused real estate investment trust owns and manages 18 assets, primarily retail properties across China, with a portfolio valued at around S$4.4 billion.

For example, while the United States has imposed high tariffs on imports from China, the latter still holds many advantages for businesses. These include the vast size of its market and extent of its supply chains. Chan highlights: “You can save costs by reaping economies of scale, and businesses in China are highly adept at cost…