Enhance product quality, PAM tells industry players

KUALA LUMPUR: Industry players in the architecture, interior design and building segment are urged to relook and improve the qualities of their respective products amid the slowdown in the property market.

MalaysianInstituteofArchitects ( PAM) president Ar Ezumi Harzani Ismail said they should seize the opportunity to beef up research and development (R&D) efforts, including adopting better technologies and design trends to meet the future expectations and demands of customers.

“Instead of focusing on news that there is over supply of office spaces, unsold residential units and that people are unable to get financing, the industry players should treat this ‘break’ as a time to reflect on how to do business better.

“For example, a smaller space unit can be very spacious if they acquire the right skills and knowhow in good design and building,” he said at a press conference after the opening ceremony of the 19th International Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition (Archidex) 2018 here, yesterday.

Ezumi is also optimistic of the industry outlook as infrastructure and construction development were expected to pick up alongside the completion of the mass rapid transit and highways project.

“The recovery may not be so soon, but we hope industry players can prepare themselves upfront for the next wave as buyers would expect a more unique, creative and efficient design type of products.

“This is why Archidex is organised, to provide industry players and public with the latest information. We also hope that architecture can be more appreciated and that people can live in better homes and cities,” said Ezumi.

Earlier, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation ( MATRADE) deputy chief executive officer Datuk Wan Latiff Wan Musa, who officiated the opening ceremony, said the corporation along with other government agencies were working to formulate strategies and action plans to address the imbalance in the architectural, engineering and other technical trade services.

He said exports of the services were registered at RM6.14 billion in 2017, a decrease of 15.2 per cent from 2016, while imports declined 37.4 per cent to RM8.87 billion for the same period, contributing to a narrowing deficit of RM4.21 billion.

Archidex 2018 is an event under the annual Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF). It is co-organised with CIS Network Sdn Bhd. — Bernama