ID :
149518
Thu, 11/11/2010 - 17:17
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/149518
The shortlink copeid
FOREIGN EXPERTS GIVE ETP THE THUMBS UP
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Foreign experts who gathered in Kuala
Lumpur for an international convention on structural steel recently applauded
the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) launched by the Malaysian
government, in particular the Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley agenda to
transform the capital city and its surrounding areas into a world-class
metropolis.
Expressing confidence that Malaysia is on the right track of achieving
Vision 2020 provided that the ETP is implemented effectively and efficiently,
they however cautioned that the implementation must focus on adding value and
not just building superstructures.
They stressed that ensuring sustainability for future generations should be
given a major focus.
Andrew Colling, a registered architect who specialises in project management
and design of major sports facilities and venues, including the coming London
2012 Olympic Stadium, opined that Malaysia has enormous untapped potential that
required motivation, innovation and new solutions to be realised to further
develop the country.
"The ETP masterplan for Malaysia is a superb idea and the steel and
steel-related industries can play a big role in its implementation," said the
Brisbane, Australia-based principal of Colling-IPS architectural firm.
"A very high degree of skill is involved in putting up steel structures,
which is available in Malaysia and the industry should use this to its
advantage," he said.
"Sustainability must be on the main agenda to ensure that our future
generations are not on the losing end."
Another speaker, Prof Ir Dr Mick Eekhout of the Netherlands, argued that the
current situation in Malaysia allowed time for the government and industry
players to think and consult each other.
"The whole industry should be encouraged to question each other's role and
study the impact of what others have done within and beyond Malaysia. That way
Malaysia will be propelled to produce a liveable and workable built
environment," said Eekhout, president of the Dutch-based Octatube International
who is also a professor of architecture at the Delft University of Technology in
the Netherlands.
Colling and Eekhout were among the invited speakers at the Malaysian
Structural Steel Association (MSSA) International Convention held at the Putra
World Trade Centre here on Nov 2, 2010. About 250 delegates attended the one-day
event organised by MSSA.
Other speakers at the convention included Prof Sheng-Jin Chen of the
National Taiwan University of Science and Technology; Keiji Ando of Nippon Steel
Corporation, Japan; Prof Mingxuan He of Baosteel Metal, China; and Bernard Chung
of Tata Steel International, Singapore.
They shared their views in response to the keynote address by the
Director-General of Works Judin Abdul Karim who had earlier in the
convention called on steel and steel-related industry players to partake in the
identified projects under the ETP, especially the Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang
Valley.
"With the support and initiative provided by the government, the industry
should be united and look at the opportunities available and join forces as we
march towards the goal of making the country a developed nation by 2020," he
told the convention.
"With various key projects identified, players in the steel industry too
will benefit in the ETP by contributing to projects like the Greater Kuala
Lumpur/Klang Valley," he said.
According to MSSA deputy president Ir Stephen Tam, who is also the
convention’s organising committee chairman, the association will be organising a
meeting soon for its members to discuss comments derived from the convention and
look at how best the steel industry can contribute towards the opportunities
available under the ETP.
The ETP is a comprehensive roadmap that aims at transforming Malaysia into a
high-income nation by 2020 and Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley is one of its
key impetuses.
The Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley vision is to make Kuala Lumpur among the world's top 20 cities in terms of liveability and economic performance by attracting dynamic international and regional companies to locate their global or regional headquarters here and growing its population to 10 million by 2020 through internal and external immigration programmes with a focus on higher-value jobs.
Under the plan, regional connectivity will be accelerated by deploying a high-speed rail system to connect Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley and Singapore.
At the same time, intra-city connectivity will be improved with a mass rapid transit (MRT) system.
Gaps in basic services will also be addressed to ensure a well-functioning and liveable city, including establishing a comprehensive network of pedestrian walkways within the city to boost tourism and commercial potential.
Lumpur for an international convention on structural steel recently applauded
the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) launched by the Malaysian
government, in particular the Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley agenda to
transform the capital city and its surrounding areas into a world-class
metropolis.
Expressing confidence that Malaysia is on the right track of achieving
Vision 2020 provided that the ETP is implemented effectively and efficiently,
they however cautioned that the implementation must focus on adding value and
not just building superstructures.
They stressed that ensuring sustainability for future generations should be
given a major focus.
Andrew Colling, a registered architect who specialises in project management
and design of major sports facilities and venues, including the coming London
2012 Olympic Stadium, opined that Malaysia has enormous untapped potential that
required motivation, innovation and new solutions to be realised to further
develop the country.
"The ETP masterplan for Malaysia is a superb idea and the steel and
steel-related industries can play a big role in its implementation," said the
Brisbane, Australia-based principal of Colling-IPS architectural firm.
"A very high degree of skill is involved in putting up steel structures,
which is available in Malaysia and the industry should use this to its
advantage," he said.
"Sustainability must be on the main agenda to ensure that our future
generations are not on the losing end."
Another speaker, Prof Ir Dr Mick Eekhout of the Netherlands, argued that the
current situation in Malaysia allowed time for the government and industry
players to think and consult each other.
"The whole industry should be encouraged to question each other's role and
study the impact of what others have done within and beyond Malaysia. That way
Malaysia will be propelled to produce a liveable and workable built
environment," said Eekhout, president of the Dutch-based Octatube International
who is also a professor of architecture at the Delft University of Technology in
the Netherlands.
Colling and Eekhout were among the invited speakers at the Malaysian
Structural Steel Association (MSSA) International Convention held at the Putra
World Trade Centre here on Nov 2, 2010. About 250 delegates attended the one-day
event organised by MSSA.
Other speakers at the convention included Prof Sheng-Jin Chen of the
National Taiwan University of Science and Technology; Keiji Ando of Nippon Steel
Corporation, Japan; Prof Mingxuan He of Baosteel Metal, China; and Bernard Chung
of Tata Steel International, Singapore.
They shared their views in response to the keynote address by the
Director-General of Works Judin Abdul Karim who had earlier in the
convention called on steel and steel-related industry players to partake in the
identified projects under the ETP, especially the Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang
Valley.
"With the support and initiative provided by the government, the industry
should be united and look at the opportunities available and join forces as we
march towards the goal of making the country a developed nation by 2020," he
told the convention.
"With various key projects identified, players in the steel industry too
will benefit in the ETP by contributing to projects like the Greater Kuala
Lumpur/Klang Valley," he said.
According to MSSA deputy president Ir Stephen Tam, who is also the
convention’s organising committee chairman, the association will be organising a
meeting soon for its members to discuss comments derived from the convention and
look at how best the steel industry can contribute towards the opportunities
available under the ETP.
The ETP is a comprehensive roadmap that aims at transforming Malaysia into a
high-income nation by 2020 and Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley is one of its
key impetuses.
The Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley vision is to make Kuala Lumpur among the world's top 20 cities in terms of liveability and economic performance by attracting dynamic international and regional companies to locate their global or regional headquarters here and growing its population to 10 million by 2020 through internal and external immigration programmes with a focus on higher-value jobs.
Under the plan, regional connectivity will be accelerated by deploying a high-speed rail system to connect Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley and Singapore.
At the same time, intra-city connectivity will be improved with a mass rapid transit (MRT) system.
Gaps in basic services will also be addressed to ensure a well-functioning and liveable city, including establishing a comprehensive network of pedestrian walkways within the city to boost tourism and commercial potential.
