News & Events
ICW 2015: Building a Greener Future CITP addresses existing challenges and issues 15th edition of ICW opens with concurrent launching of the Construction Industry Transformation Programme( CITP) by Prime Minister of Malaysia.
NOW IN ITS 15th year, having evolved from what was once the National Construction Week, ICW 2015, themed“ Building a Greener Future”, features an international and domestic ensemble of construction players sharing technical expertise and innovation through conferences and networking sessions. With opportunities for building strategic alliances and partnerships as well as an exhibition component showcasing sustainable design, construction and the built environment, namely, Ecobuild Southeast Asia( alongside Greenbuild Asia, Ecolight Asia and Solar Asia Expo) including business-to-business match-making sessions and technology symposiums and seminars in its agenda.
There is more to International Construction Week( ICW) 2015, aside from it being the premier annual event for the industry“ covering the full spectrum of construction in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.” In retrospect, the industry has been and is a key driver of the national economy, with a double-digit growth since 2012 and contributing 4.5 % to GDP – significant in value when taking into account its two-times multiplier effect with more than 120 types of businesses or industries that depend on its well-being. Also, the construction sector consumes about 15 % of the national manufacturing output and employs a total registered workforce of 1.2 million, 75 % of which are Malaysians and includes building professionals- architects, engineers and surveyors( Source: CIDB).
On this upbeat note, the Honourable Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak officially opened ICW 2015 and, concurrently, launched the Construction Industry Transformation Plan( CITP).
Construction Industry Transformation Plan( CITP) Championed by the Ministry of Works and CIDB, the CITP, developed with input from industry players- at home and abroad- the academia, Government ministries and agencies, professional bodies and associations and research institutions, will run from 2016 to 2020. On the threshold of the 11th Malaysian Plan and the quest for high-income nation status come 2020, the CITP addresses“ existing challenges and issues” in the industry through four strategic thrusts( and 18 initiatives), i. e.: � Quality, Safety and Professionalism, pre-requisites for transforming the construction sector into a responsible and developed industry through mandatory quality assessment of workmanship( QLASSIC), improved safety at work sites, regulate amenities for workers’ housing, etc.
� Environmental Sustainability, to reduce carbon footprint by 40 %, to promote / raise best practices in sustainability( push for compliance to requirements), to reduce construction waste, etc.
� Productivity, by way of technology and process, i. e., to accelerate IBS adoption( e. g.,“ economic mechanisms” such as reduction in import duty for equipment / installation, tax holiday, assistance in working capital), to enhance human capital development, for increased capability of Bumiputra contractors, etc.
� Internationalisation, to regain market share of domestic projects and be competitive overseas through( a) adopting international practices and standards in quality, workmanship, materials, methodology, etc,( b) access to financing for offshore jobs and( c) strengthening of overseas market intelligence.
In the final reckoning, CITP’ s success will, invariably, rest on three key pillars of strong industry collaboration, a strong coordinating body and robust governance. In the latter two cases, a Programme Management Office( PNO) has been set up to monitor, track and manage progress of implementation whilst a CITP Committee( CITP-C), chaired by the Ministry of works, will be formed to oversee overall progress and direction. �
Showcase of ASEAN expertise in sustainable building First ASEAN Construction Summit made its debut at ICW 2015.
WITH THE FOCUS on sustainability of the industry and the built environment on a regional scale, the inaugural ASEAN Construction Summit made its debut at the International Construction Week 2015. Organised by the Master Builders Association Malaysia( MBAM), the two-day event, themed“ Towards Building a Sustainable Future”, featured presentations by a host of thought-leaders, industry players, building professionals and Government agencies from the ASEAN bloc, sharing their experiences and, more importantly, challenges and issues faced in their respective home countries.
MBAM’ s Take on ASEAN Scenario In setting the direction and tone of the Summit, organisers MBAM’ s overview is that, notwithstanding that“ some construction markets, e. g., Malaysia and Indonesia, have seen growth throughout the year”, there are concerns by“ engineering, infrastructure builders, contractors and construction leaders … about raw material prices, capital markets, government regulations, law of the land and access to the right labour and construction skills at the right price. However, ASEAN countries including Indonesia and the Philippines, may find that delivery of their ambitious
52 Building & Investment | www. b-i. biz