Real estate tycoon Kwek Leng Beng launches Chinese edition of biography
The event also marks the completion of Kwek Leng Beng University Tower at the Singapore Institute of Technology’s new Punggol campus
FOLLOWING the launch of the English edition of the biography Strictly Business: The Kwek Leng Beng Story last November, the real estate and hotel tycoon launched the Chinese edition on Thursday (Sep 26).
The book was unveiled at a private event attended by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore.
Kwek, who is the executive chairman of Hong Leong Group and City Developments Ltd (CDL), said: “After the launch of the English edition of my biography, it was important that we publish a Chinese edition to reach out to the Chinese-speaking community in Singapore and overseas, as this holds special significance for me...
“This book is a written testament of my experiences and the lessons I’ve learnt over the years that have guided my business thinking and shaped my philosophy”.
Written by content agency The Nutgraf’s founding partner, Peh Shing Huei, and translated by Suzane Quek, the biography tells the story of Kwek’s six decades of breakthroughs across multiple sectors such as real estate, hospitality and finance.
DPM Heng said: “Under Leng Beng’s leadership, the group’s business has continued to expand. Even in the face of difficulties such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the financial crisis, the group has been able to remain calm and successfully overcome the crisis. More importantly, the group can also find new opportunities in the crisis and turn it into business opportunities.”
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Under Kwek’s charge, CDL developed and sold the first residential project in the Marina Bay commercial district, The Sail @ Marina Bay, in the face of the global financial crisis. He also developed Millennium & Copthorne Hotels into an international brand, owning and operating different hotel properties around the world.
DPM Heng also praised Kwek for having “a unique and forward-looking vision”. Prior to the term “environmental sustainability” coming into the scene, CDL had already adopted environmentally friendly elements into its development projects.
The event also marked the completion of Kwek Leng Beng University Tower at the Singapore Institute of Technology’s new Punggol campus.
The tower is named after Kwek in appreciation of the joint endowed gift of S$24 million from him and CDL. With a matching grant from the government, the total endowment contribution amounts to S$60 million.
At the book launch, CDL’s group chief executive officer Sherman Kwek paid tribute to the tough guidance and mentorship of the senior Kwek.
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