THE Asia-Pacific construction industry has the craft skills, professional expertise, and capacity to deliver the hospitals, schools, homes, workplaces, and transport infrastructures the people of the region need. The significance of the region’s construction industry to the region’s economy is clear to see – its annual output runs into trillions of dollars, covers a big portion of the Gross Domestic Product, and gives employment to tens of millions in construction related activities. The public sector is its single biggest client which has helped to sustain growth in the building sector.
The state of the construction industry is perhaps one of the most visible symbol of any economic bane or boon. When the economy is upbeat, the industry has the capacity to deliver the infrastructures required. And when the pace of growth of the economy is weak, the industry sees a mass of unfinished buildings and "for sale’’ signs everywhere. Considering the huge potentials of the industry and the latest indicator of the tons of projects that are now being executed or are on the drawing boards, the Asia-Pacific construction industry has suggested a heady turn to the construction industry days of the late 1980s and most of the 1990s.
In support of the encouraging signs seen in the industry, the Philippine Constructors Association will host the first regional trade show called "Konstructura Asya – The International Exposition of the Asia-Pacific Construction Industry’’ which will be held March 15-18, 2006, at the World Trade Center, Metro Manila. The four-day exhibit will feature the latest technological breakthroughs in structural and architectural components and landscaping products. Expected to attract thousands of local and foreign visitors, the exhibit is seen as an opportunity for more construction cranes to dominate the Asia-Pacific skyline, provide employment to a large segment of the region’s labor force, and be a leading contributor to the Asia-Pacific Rim’s Gross National Product.
Construction in the Asia Pacific has been around for a long time. As the years have gone by, some building methods and materials have changed and many have stayed the same. Step back into ancient China, Cambodia, and Indonesia, and you see some of the construction wonders of all time. But one thing is sure, the construction industry makes our lives a lot easier. Our cities, houses, hospitals, schools, malls, and sports arenas all exist because of the skilled men and women who build them and make them safe for our use.
We congratulate the participants and organizers of the International Exposition of the Asia-Pacific Construction Industry and wish them success.
|
