The deserted mall is also a symbol of China's rapid urbanization and runaway investment in real estate projects, where massive development projects have been given the go ahead without proper marketing and business research.

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Orix, which listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1998 and whose shareholder base is more than 50% outside Japan, also operates in investment banking, life insurance, venture capital and in the financing of real-estate development.

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Private investment in buildings like Palacio Astoreca is also encouraging real estate development citywide, including burgeoning areas like Cerro Yungay.

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Rosenthal, 81, founded the real estate development and investment company Raleigh Enterprises in 1955.

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Real estate is engaged in property development and investment and hotel operation.

FORBES: Shanghai Industrial

The Company is principally engaged in building construction, international contracting, real estate development and investment, construction and investment of infrastructure, as well as the provision of design and prospecting services.

FORBES: China State Construction

John Van Vlack, the president of HLSS, said in an interview that the dividend payout was intended to be similar to those of real-estate investment trusts or business development companies, to attract similar kinds of income-seeking investors, which help keep capital costs low if the company goes back to the market for additional fundraisings.

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