Construction industry eyes RM120b projects next year

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 4): The construction industry is expected to secure RM120 billion worth of projects next year, the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) said.

General manager (corporate division) Ahmad Asri Abdul Hamid said the projects would be mainly in the oil and gas and transportation sectors.

"We estimate the Petronas Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid) project in Pengerang would bring in RM60 billion and the Mass Rapid Transit project, RM40 billion.

"If we add all these and other ongoing projects, it will accumulate to RM120 billion," he said.

He told reporters this after officiating the soft launch of Ecobuild 2013 on behalf of CIDB chief executive Datuk Sri Dr Judin Abdul Karim.    

Ahmad Asri said the second half of the year would remain bullish as a result of the 18.9% growth recorded in the first half, and the uptrend was expected to continue next year.

CIDB, in cooperation with United Business Media (M) Sdn Bhd (UBM), will bring to Malaysia Ecobuild 2013, the world's leading event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment.

The event will gather the construction and building industry to showcase their latest designs, equipment, material and technology on sustainable building to the regional market.

Malaysia is the first country in Southeast Asia to host the event. It is also supported by the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water.

Ecobuild 2013 Malaysia will be held at the Putra World Trade Centre from Sept 17-19, 2013. — Bernama