Author : Editor
Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) expects mega projects under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) to spur investments in mechanisation by industry players.
The ETP projects which will be rolled out this year include the Sungai Buloh-Kajang MRT line and development of the 1,200-ha Sungai Buloh site.
CIDB chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Judin Abdul Karim said the RM40 billion MRT project is expected to stimulate property development along the MRT line, with some developers leveraging on this development by building affordable homes in the suburbs near the MRT line.
"These projects will spur the mechanisation investment and transformation of local construction industry. In addition, this sector will see an increase in green technology initiatives and products," he said.
He said investing in technology like Industrialised Building System (IBS) will help lessen the country's dependence on foreign workers.
"Due to the constraint of resources and time, if construction players remain in conventional way, development could be delayed and in turn will see a burgeoning development cost. This is the main challenge in the construction industry today," Judin said at the preview of International Construction Week here recently.
The construction industry is expected to grow by seven per cent this year, the highest as compared to all other sectors this year. In 2011, total projects awarded in the domestic market were about RM80 billion.
CIDB is organising the 11th International Construction Week 2012 (ICW 2012), which will take place in Kuala Lumpur between February 13 and 16 this year.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will be launching the event, themed "Transformation", on February 14.
Source : btimes.com.my
