MALAYSIA'S CONSTRUCTION SECTOR TO GROW BY 3.5 PCT IN 2009

PETALING JAYA (Malaysia), Nov 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's construction
industry is expected to register a growth of 3.5 per cent in 2009 despite the
current global econonic crisis, said Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni
Hanadzlah.

He said that during this time of hardship, with a contraction in
growth everywhere, the sector remained the pillar of Malaysia's economy.

"The construction sector registered a growth of 1.1 per cent in the first
quarter of this year and improved further to 2.8 per cent in the second," he
said in his speech at the official opening of the Second Malaysian
Construction Summit 2009 here Tuesday.

Ahmad Husni pointed that the present ecomic crisis also provided the
industry with an opportunity to reinvent itself.

He said there would be consolidation within the industry, with smaller
players merging, to compete more effectively.

"The industry as a whole, will need to take stock of its position in the
market and reassess financial strenth, technical expertise, branding and
reputation.

"It has to restructure itself and invest in new technology
and systems to build capacity in order to compete, either locally or abroad," he
highlighted.

Ahmad Husni said the government would continue to promote the
public-private partnership initiatives, in line with the aspiration to increase
the role of the latter in the economy.

According to the minister, the construction industry needs to reposition
itself in the market place to survive in a competitive market, dictated by the
forces of supply and demand.

He also pointed out that Malaysia needs to take into account the green
design and technology as part and parcel of future development.

"Buildings and infrastructure works of the future will have to be
sustainable in terms of energy usage, material use and technology adoption," he
added.
-- BERNAMA