Residential buildings under construction at Evergrande Cultural Tourism City, a project developed by China Evergrande Group, in Jiangsu province, China. Reuters
Residential buildings under construction at Evergrande Cultural Tourism City, a project developed by China Evergrande Group, in Jiangsu province, China. Reuters
Residential buildings under construction at Evergrande Cultural Tourism City, a project developed by China Evergrande Group, in Jiangsu province, China. Reuters
Residential buildings under construction at Evergrande Cultural Tourism City, a project developed by China Evergrande Group, in Jiangsu province, China. Reuters

Evergrande resumes construction of stalled projects as debt repayments loom


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China Evergrande Group said it has resumed construction at most of its housing projects as authorities push the debt-laden developer to pay migrant workers and deliver apartments.

Nearly 92 per cent of Evergrande’s property projects have so far restarted, compared with just about 50 per cent at the beginning of September, the company said on Sunday. The number of workers involved in the projects that have resumed building has risen 31 per cent from September to 89,000.

“As long as we do a good job in restarting work, production and construction, we’ll be able to deliver houses to buyers, resume sales and operations and pay off debts at all costs,” chairman Hui Ka-yan was cited as saying at a company meeting.

Evergrande is struggling with more than $300 billion in liabilities as a government campaign to deleverage developers and curb years of housing speculation takes a toll. Already labelled a defaulter after missing coupon payments on two bonds, Evergrande is facing a maturity wall next year and has said it plans to “actively engage” with offshore creditors on a debt restructuring plan.

Concerned that a deepening industry crisis would hurt economic growth and undermine social stability, Beijing has started to ease financing for some developers as well as homebuyers. Evergrande’s overhaul is now being guided by a risk committee that includes officials from its home province of Guangdong.

In a quarterly monetary policy statement released on Saturday, China’s central bank pledged greater support for the economy while reiterating its aim to promote the property sector’s “healthy” growth, protect homebuyers’ rights and better meet housing demand.

Wang Menghui, Minister of Housing and Urban-rural Development, said in a weekend interview with state TV that the government will make efforts to stabilise land and housing prices and ensure reasonable demand. Still, he also emphasised that housing policy won’t be used as short-term economic stimulus.

Evergrande must “sprint at full speed” to meet the goal of delivering 39,000 apartment units this month, Mr Hui said. The target is almost four times the firm’s average monthly delivery of under 10,000 units since September.

Thus far, more than 80 per cent of Evergrande’s business partners such as renovation companies and long-term material suppliers have resumed co-operation with Evergrande, Mr Hui said.

Evergrande has $7.4bn of local and offshore bonds due in 2022. It faces about $255 million in coupon payments on two dollar notes on Tuesday. Most of its offshore dollar bonds are trading below 23 cents on the dollar.

The biog

First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974  
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work

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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
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  • Price: Not announced yet
At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

Pathaan
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The National's picks

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Sole survivors
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Defending champions

World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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Company%20profile
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Updated: December 27, 2021, 5:19 AM`