Note from CDL Group CEO:

While the outlook for Singapore and our global economy can seem grim, we must continue to keep a strong and positive mindset. Standing together, we will get through this crisis and emerge stronger.

Dear Stakeholders,

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a terrible global crisis, causing mass disruption and loss of lives. Invisible in nature yet potentially deadly in impact, it has prompted unprecedented control measures globally to contain the rapid spread.

Yet, as with all challenging times, we should not dwell on the negativity and pessimism but instead, focus on the positive aspects. I am greatly heartened to see the community coming together to support one another. People are putting aside their differences, and regardless of race, language or religion, everyone is extending support to help each other out. I am deeply touched when I look at the medical workers and volunteers on the frontlines, working round the clock to provide treatment for the infected while containing the virus from further spreading.

While the outlook for Singapore and our global economy can seem grim, we must continue to keep a strong and positive mindset. Standing together, we will get through this crisis and emerge stronger.

Stay Safe, Stay Strong, Stay United.

Sherman Kwek
CDL Group CEO

COVID-19 COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world into uncharted territory. In these challenging times, supporting vulnerable families and communities is vital.

Giving back to the community remains one of CDL’s core tenets. To support Singapore’s social service agencies to continue delivering critical social services to vulnerable individuals, families and communities during this challenging COVID-19 period, CDL, together with contributions from our entire Board and the Executive team, have made a S$400,000 donation to The Invictus Fund administered by Singapore’s Community Chest. In addition, CDL contributed a S$88,000 donation to workers at our development projects, in a dollar-for-dollar match for contributions made by CDL employees, to provide workers with necessities during the circuit breaker period.

Our tenants in Singapore and overseas, particularly in retail and F&B, have also been significantly impacted, and several are struggling with operating challenges and cash flow constraints. CDL has committed to help them tide over this difficult period with more than S$40 million in property tax and rental rebates. Tenants facing severe cash flow issues will be offered more flexibility in rental payments. Our tenants are our valued partners, and we will continue to engage them closely, to help support and sustain their businesses. We are monitoring the situation closely, and further support schemes will be progressively rolled out as Singapore’s COVID-19 situation evolves. Within Southeast Asia, we have also stepped in to support hard-hit areas where we have established deep roots. This includes Phuket, the province with the highest number of confirmed cases in Thailand, where our employees at Jungceylon Shopping Mall in Patong donated 1,800 handmade face shields to local hospitals to help frontline workers cope with the pandemic.

Although our hospitality subsidiary, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Limited (M&C), has also been heavily impacted by COVID-19, it has rolled out support programmes to public health authorities, medical workers and other frontline personnel in locations where it operates globally. It has also accommodated displaced guests affected by flight cancellations and travel restrictions.

Apart from M&C’s “We Clean. We Care. We Welcome.” global campaign, which includes initiatives to ensure guests have a pleasant and safe hospitality experience, M&C has rendered support to frontline workers and affected residents in the regions it operates in:

  • UK – Hotels, such as Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington and Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington, are accepting reservations from government approved categories of travellers, and as such, are welcoming key workers, infrastructure workers and government employees exclusively. A number of rooms in the M&C hotels at Chelsea Football Club’s Stamford Bridge Stadium have been offered to medical staff working in West London hospitals to stay between shifts. These provide reprieve for staff who are unable to travel home or would otherwise have to make long commutes.
  • US – Select hotels including The Bostonian Boston, Millennium Hotel Buffalo, Millennium Times Square and Millennium Premier in New York, have offered special room rates for medical personnel. The Bostonian Boston has also launched its University Housing Package for university students and faculty members who are unable to travel home. The Biltmore Los Angeles is housing the Los Angeles Police Department who are the first responders in the city.
  • China – Grand Millennium Beijing has partnered with businesses Silver Mountain Group, HKI Group and non-profit organisations Beijing Yu Sun Say Charity Foundation and GoHigh Capital to donate urgently needed medical supplies to 36 frontline hospitals and medical institutions in Hubei, Henan and Shandong provinces, Beijing, Tianjin and Hong Kong. The donation of medical supplies included 487,500 surgical gloves, 68,400 masks, 4,500 medical protective gowns, 1.5 tonnes of disinfectants and 100 forehead thermometers. Millennium Hotel Zunyi and Millennium Resort Wuyishan also took part in a donation initiative, where more than 6,000 suitcases were presented to medical institutions across China, allowing their medical teams to travel to Wuhan to support the pandemic efforts.
  • New Zealand – All hotels except the Grand Millennium Auckland have temporarily closed due to lockdown restrictions that started on 26 March and will last till 23 April or until further government notification. The 452-room Grand Millennium Auckland has government approval to provide essential services to help stranded overseas visitors and air crew who are working to bring New Zealanders home. The hotel team, which is in lockdown together at the premises, has been keeping guests occupied and entertained with special activity sheets delivered every day with breakfast. They include word searches, puzzles, fun facts and light-hearted news to help them stay positive, with answers delivered later that evening with dinner.
  • Singapore – When Malaysia’s Movement Control Order was issued on 18 March prohibiting Malaysian citizens from travelling abroad, workers who commute to Singapore for work were affected. Hotels, including Orchard Hotel, quickly extended a helping hand, offering discounted accommodation to affected employees from companies.We also have security personnel, cleaners, as well as our M&C hotel employees who are providing hospitality and relief to Singaporeans and residents serving stay-home notices during their confinement. Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel employees also passed the hat around to raise funds for a home for the aged that was impacted by the virus outbreak.

Our facilities management subsidiary CBM Pte Ltd, has also taken proactive approach to roll out safety measures, with priority on staff well-being and keeping work sites safe. The measures include distributing protective equipment and vouchers to frontline staff, providing accommodation and necessities for Malaysian staff affected by the Movement Control Order, taking care of migrant workers serving stay home notices, and implementing safe management and contact tracing measures at various projects and work sites.

We thank all our employees, especially those working in the frontline, for their steadfast dedication. Let’s continue to keep a strong and positive mindset. Together, we will get through this crisis and
emerge stronger.


Representatives from Grand Millennium Beijing (standing on the left) and GoHigh Capital (on the right) with the donated medical goods.