KUALA LUMPUR: The construction industry is expected to grow by 11.2% this year, driven by projects under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

Master Builders’ Association Malaysia (MBAM) president Matthew Tee said projects that will boost growth include the mass rapid transit project in the Klang Valley and other Entry Point Projects.

“We reckon if [the projects initiated by the government] are implemented this year, we can achieve the number,” he told the 5th Malaysian Construction Summit on Challenges Facing the Construction Industry.

Tee said one of the challenges the industry faces currently is the need to provide a sufficient number of skilled construction workers.

“Although there is a need to limit the number of foreign workers, we must also have a sufficient number of local skilled construction workers who can contribute to the economy ... we are all aware the construction industry has played an important role in the national economy,” he said.

The one-day summit was aimed at enabling those involved in the construction industry to gain an insight into industry trends and concerns.

A MoU between MBAM and the Construction Research Institute of Malaysia was signed to enable  cooperation in research on recycling construction waste, green technology, and energy efficiancy and solar energy.

Zuhairi Hamid, executive director of the institute, said the collaboration will lead to the commercialisation and adoption of new construction methods and products. — Bernama

 


This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on March 26, 2013.

SHARE