Construction industry continues to be main driver of nation’s economy

KO TA BH A RU: T he construct ion industry has continued to be the main driver Malaysia’s economic growth, recording a 7.4 per cent increase last year, despite the challenging global environment.

Works Mi n i s t r y ’ s International Affairs and Policy Division Secretary Azman Ibrahim said the growth rate was very encouraging compared to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 4.2 per cent in 2016

Although the number of projects recorded decreased to 6,305 in 2016, their total value increased to RM166.4 billion against 7,455 worth RM140 billion in 2015, he told reporters after opening the Construction Industry Transformat ion Programme ( CITP) seminar yesterday.

CITP Programme Management Office Director Noridah Shafi and Construct ion Industry Development Board Kelantan Director Jasmi Mohd Salleh were present.

On CITP, Azman said it was expected to transform the construction industry into a more productive, sustainable, safe, quality, professional and competitive industry at the international level.

“On the whole, CITP performed has well as it achieved 88 per cent of major targets set for 2016. The latest, CITP achieved 92.5 per cent of the targets for the first quarter of 2017, “he said.

On another matter, Azman said the federal government’s commitment in implementing high- impact infrastructure projects such as the Tok Bal i Port, a bridge linking Pengkalan Kubor ( Tumpat) - Tak Bai ( Narathiwat, southern Thailand) and the East Coast Rail Line project would benefit the people and investors in Kelantan.

Azman said CIDB statistics showed that 114 projects worth RM1.5 billion were implemented in Kelantan last year, which augured well for the state.

Launched on Sept 10, 2015 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, CITP is a national agenda to transform the construction industry into a modern, highly productive and sustainable industry, as well as to support the National Transformation towards a highincome and developed nation by 2020. — Bernama