Kuala Lumpur:The construction sector must prioritize the development of future industry leaders while adopting sustainable technologies and fostering international partnerships to maintain resilience, according to Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nanta emphasized the importance of youth involvement and technical competency at the opening ceremony of International Construction Week (ICW) and BuildXpo Malaysia 2026. He highlighted that encouraging young Malaysians to pursue careers in construction and enhancing their technical skills is crucial for the industry's future growth.
The event, held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), was inaugurated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. This year's ICW marked its 28th edition and the fourth consecutive collaboration between the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia and Qube Integrated Malaysia, organizers of BuildXpo, the flagship exhibition component of ICW.
Nanta outlined the initiatives supported by ICW, such as the CIDB-Chartered Institute of Building Malaysia (CIOB) Youth Arena and several competitions, which provide platforms for emerging professionals to demonstrate their knowledge and ideas. He also discussed regional cooperation through conferences like the Impact Change Through Construction Conference (ICTC) and the Asia Construct Conference, which enable regional players to exchange best practices and foster innovation.
The Public Works Department's (JKR) BAMBuild programme was praised by Nanta for its exploration of bamboo as an alternative building material, highlighting the importance of sustainable materials and international cooperation in the construction sector.
The event drew delegates from various countries, creating commercial linkages for Malaysian companies to expand into wider export markets. Technical visits offered insights into the expertise required for restoring heritage buildings.
Qube Integrated Malaysia Chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Tajuddin Ali noted that ICW and BuildXpo Malaysia 2026 serve as platforms for industry collaboration and innovation, with a focus on adopting modern technologies. He emphasized the event's role as a hub for knowledge exchange and relationship building.
Ahmad Tajuddin also celebrated Qube's corporate milestone, marking 21 years in the business events and exhibition industry, and expressed pride in the event's growth and the implementation of strategic masterplans like the Construction Industry Transformation Programme (CITP).