June 2010
Australia - Construction receives budget boost

The building and construction industry received a major shot in the arm from the state budget, with more than A$8.6 billion (US$7.2 billion) allocated for the construction of major infrastructure in Western Australia. The state government committed A$7.6 billion (US$6.4 billion) for the construction of general infrastructure projects, with over A$1 billion (US$800 million) allocated to construction works at schools.

In total, A$170 million (US$143 million) of the state’s infrastructure spending will be allocated to landmark projects in the metropolitan area. The Perth Waterfront redevelopment was allocated A$21.5 million (US$18 million) over four years for detailed planning and design, with construction of the mixed-use portion of the development due to commence in 2012.

June 2010
Singapore-Construction Productivity and Capability Fund gives boost to firms

With mounting pressure from the increase in foreign worker levies, more firms in the construction industry are looking forward to the S$250 million (US$178.4 million) Construction Productivity and Capability Fund (CPCF), which was officially launched recently. The Building & Construction Authority (BCA) said that there have been more than 300 enquiries on the various schemes under the CPCF within a few weeks.

Furthermore, BCA will be setting up a Centre for Construction IT at the BCA Academy this year. The Centre will test-bed advanced IT solutions for the construction industry, conduct outreach programmes and support companies in their quest to tap on IT to enhance productivity. BCA will also introduce a new Value-Added Productivity banding scheme to recognise builders with high value-added productivity levels as well as those who display great improvements in their value-added productivity.

June 2010
Japan - Foreign construction orders down 32% in FY2009

Overseas construction orders at Japan's 43 major general contractors tumbled 32.7% to Y696.9 billion (US$7.7 billion) in fiscal 2009, slipping below Y700 billion for the first time in 29 years, according to industry figures released. At their peak in fiscal 2007, foreign construction orders won by Japanese general contractors reached Y1.68 trillion (US$18.6 billion). They have now declined for two consecutive years as the world economy has retreated.

The Overseas Construction Association of Japan reported a 96.4% plunge in orders from the Middle East due to the effects of the Dubai shock, and sharply lower orders from North America and Europe as well. With Obayashi Corp. and other major players facing losses on large projects undertaken in the Middle East, there are no signs that orders will rebound in fiscal 2010 either.