By DayakDaily Team
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10: The construction sector must prioritise grooming the next generation of industry leaders while embracing sustainable technologies and strengthening international partnerships to remain resilient, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of International Construction Week (ICW) and BuildXpo Malaysia 2026 today, he said youth involvement and technical competency were vital to ensuring the industry’s future growth.
“Developing the next generation of construction leaders is central to the industry’s future. We must encourage more young Malaysians to pursue careers in construction and strengthen their technical skills,” he said in his opening remarks at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) here.
The event, officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, marked the 28th edition of ICW and the fourth consecutive year of collaboration between the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia and Qube Integrated Malaysia in organising BuildXpo as ICW’s flagship exhibition component.
Also present were Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, Works Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Azman Ibrahim, CIDB chairman Datuk Yusuf Abd Wahab, and Qube Integrated Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Tajuddin Ali.
Nanta said ICW supported this goal through initiatives such as the CIDB-Chartered Institute of Building Malaysia (CIOB) Youth Arena, the CIDB-Malaysian Structural Steel Association (MSSA) Open Ideas Competition and Crane Lifting Planning Competition, which provide emerging professionals with platforms to showcase their knowledge and ideas.
On regional cooperation, he said events such as the Impact Change Through Construction Conference (ICTC) and the Asia Construct Conference served as strategic platforms for regional players to exchange best practices, foster innovation and address common industry challenges.
Nanta also commended the Public Works Department (JKR) for spearheading the BAMBuild programme under the theme ‘The Future of Sustainable Bamboo Construction’, which explores the research and technological potential of bamboo as an alternative building material.
“These discussions remind us of the importance of sustainable materials, practical innovation and international cooperation in shaping the future of our built environment,” he said.
Nanta said the event had attracted delegates from Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar, Japan, Comoros, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Hong Kong, as well as commercial buyers from Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
He said their participation created valuable commercial linkages for Malaysian companies seeking to expand into wider export markets.
Nanta also highlighted ICW’s technical visits to Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, Carcosa Seri Negara and the Malaysia Post Office, which offered participants insights into the expertise required to restore heritage buildings.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Tajuddin said ICW and BuildXpo Malaysia 2026 offered a platform for industry collaboration and innovation, with this year’s theme, ‘Beyond Limits’, encouraging players to embrace modern technologies to advance the nation’s construction sector.
“Our shared aim is to create a platform that connects people, ideas, technologies, and business opportunities, and deliver meaningful value to the industry and the nation,” he said in his welcoming remarks.
Ahmad Tajuddin stressed that the significance of ICW and BuildXpo Malaysia went far beyond the exhibition floor, serving as a regional hub for knowledge exchange, tracking emerging trends, and forging relationships that foster improved working methods.
Reflecting on Qube’s corporate milestone, he noted that the homegrown Malaysian company, established in 2005, was celebrating 21 years of experience in the business events and exhibition industry as it expanded from its local roots to achieve a global reach.
Ahmad Tajuddin, who previously served as CIDB chairman from February 2014 to February 2020, also expressed personal pride in witnessing the event’s continuous growth since the introduction of strategic masterplans like the Construction Industry Transformation Programme (CITP). — Bernama
