1 SMJ International is embarking on its first interior design consultancy project for a resort in China for 2 million yuan (S$406,000) as part of the carpet company's diversification into property investment and management.

2 Hotel Grand Central is planning to buy The PWC Centre, at 60 & 38 Cashel Street i n Christchurch, New Zealand, for NZ$49 million (S$48.6 million).

3 Consumer confidence is rising in China. Of 12 SGX stocks with a market cap of more than $100 million and at least 10 per cent of China revenue, the top three performers are: Best World International, Shangri- La Asia and Hanwell Holdings.

4 Gallant Venture has incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary in Indonesia called Bintan Bumi Abadi, with paid-up capital of US$250,000 (S$345,000). Its principal activity will be tourism consultancy.

5 PACC Offshore bought back 50,000 of its shares at 29.5 cents apiece for a total sum of $14,783.