Chamber to support construction boom

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

The Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka considers infrastructure development currently underway as important for the growth of the country's construction industry.

"The Chamber is of the view that the recent infrastructure development projects that are progressing rapidly in many parts of the country will provide impetus for the construction industry growth. It is important to continue these activities and funding from foreign countries are vital, Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka (CCISL) Chief Executive Officer/ Secretary General Dakshitha Thalgodapitiya told Daily News Business.

Sri Lanka's construction industry needs to build linkages with overseas counterparts and seize opportunities to export its high quality service and construction capabilities, he said.

The Chamber has initiated a dialogue with China and Chinese International Construction Association known as CHINCA.

The Chamber participated at the International Infrastructure, Investment and Construction Forum held in Beijing last week.

The Chamber also intends to participate at the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Corporation (IORARC) business conclave meeting and seminar on construction business opportunities to be held in Oman shortly.

The Chamber that pioneered the first construction export promotion mission in 2007 to Middle East will take the lead in providing foreign exposure to local contractors.

With the Chamber's annual trade fairs known as EXCON attracting large number of participants from sub continent will be held in September this year.

EXCON 2010 has already attracted over 100 confirmed participants from India. Concurrent to EXCON 2010 an exhibition dedicated to the water industry under the theme 'Water Today' will also be held in Colombo.

The Chamber is optimistic that with Sri Lanka gaining political stability and with the Government's commitment to make the country a dynamic global hub, construction industry stakeholders will make a substantial leap in the future.

"The development of the construction industry must be a joint effort of the Government and industry trade associations such as CCISL. We are equipped, committed and ready to make a significant contribution to the economic development of the country.

We look forward to Sri Lanka emerging as 'Wonder of Asia,' he said. "They have already established linkages with Government owned Indian specialist pre-fabrication company to reduce cost of construction and to fast track construction to efficiently participate in the ambitious housing development program of the Government.