Global financial crisis will hit construction industry - ICTAD
chairman
by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE
[email protected]
He said with the melt down effect of the crisis on many foreign banks
investments on housing and large constructions will decline.
“Despite many challenges the construction sector recorded a nine per
cent growth during the past three years. The Institute has submitted its
proposals for the forthcoming budget”, he said.
Pathirage said the draft Act to convert the Institute of Construction
Training and Development (ICTAD) into a construction industry
development authority will be submitted to Parliament early next year.
“With the new institute there will be more powers and
responsibilities vested on the new organisation which would help to
develop the construction industry of the country”, he said. ICTAD which
grades and registers contracting companies will monitor the performance
of companies under the Authority. The Construction Development Fund will
be used to support the SME construction sector.
Pathirage said ICTAD has sought assistance from the Government to
provide concessions in the forthcoming budget for SME sector
construction companies to import light equipment. “We have called upon
the Government to formalise the equipment hiring and labour contracting
sectors and grant incentives to improve the standard of the construction
industry”, he said.
Quality certifications will be made mandatory for low levels of
contracting companies to enhance professionalism in the industry. Higher
grade contractors have to follow the same conditions.
ICTAD has called for additional funding to increase the number of
training programs for new contractors.Training courses will help
contractors to qualify for higher grades.
The shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry and many
other problems faced by the industry were discussed at a meeting held
between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and industry stakeholders on
Wednesday.
The Ministry of Construction Industry launched the Sisunenapola
training program for school-leavers to get jobs in the construction
sector.
CEO/Secretary General, Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka,
Dakshitha Thalagodapitiya said the Chamber in its proposals for the 2009
Budget has called upon the Government to restrict deploying foreign
consultants and contractors to make the best use of domestic capacities.
CCISL has called for the introduction of statutory provisions to
ensure foreign construction and consultancy companies to enter into
formal collaborations, arrangements and joint ventures with local
counterparts. Thalagodapitiya said incentives should be granted to
recognised training providers to develop programs which will help
address the shortage of construction craftsmen in the country.
The Chamber has proposed to set up a Construction Industry Human
Resource Development Fund that will help to improve the quality of work
and confidence in the industry.
“More awareness and image-building campaigns should be carried out to
attract youth to the sector. A concessionary funding mechanism is needed
for the SMEs in the construction, contracting and manufacture of
construction inputs,” he said. |