A quick look at construction trade news from around the world.
Canada: Quebec’s public inquiry into construction industry gets thumbs up from John Gomery
[October 20, 2011] MONTREAL – Canada’s most famous inquiry judge is applauding the news that there will be a corruption inquiry in Quebec.Justice John Gomery told The Canadian Press that he welcomes Premier Jean Charest’s decision Wednesday to call a public inquiry. Read more
Malasia: Construction Industry Needs CIPAA To Resolve Payment Issues, Says MBAM
[October 20, 2011) KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- The Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) has hailed the announcement by Deputy Works Minister, Datuk Yong Khoon Seng, that the draft bill of the Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act (CIPAA) is being finalised for tabling at the next parliamentary session. Its president, Kwan Foh Kwai, said MBAM had long been lamenting the problems of delayed and non-payment and the construction industry had been waiting far too long for the CIPAA to be in place since the Cabinet approved its enactment in 2009. Read more
Ireland: House building at a standstill as construction industry wilts
[October 20, 2011] The fragility of Northern Ireland’s construction sector has been laid bare after figures revealed output has fallen to levels last seen three years ago. The news came as it emerged well-known Co Antrim firm Patton Group is to reduce staff in its specialist joinery division. Read more
U.S.: 4 Farming and Construction Machinery Stocks To Consider
[October 20, 2011] The Farming and Construction Machinery industry is one of the more solid industries in the public equities market. The industry is solid because machinery is more or less used on a continuous basis. It is difficult to find any particularly weak periods for this industry because the world is nearly expanding perpetually. Read more
Quebec, Canada: Charest relents, as corruption inquiry appears likely
[October 19, 2011] Quebecers can expect an inquiry into corruption within the province’s construction industry, a Liberal member of the province’s national assembly told reporters on Tuesday. Before the announcement, Premier Jean Charest held a meeting with his caucus on Tuesday morning, then four of his top lieutenants followed him to his office for a follow-up session. Deputy Premier Line Beauchamp, Public Security Minister Robert Dutil, Justice Minister Jean-Marc Fournier and Transport Minister Pierre Moreau all took part in the second meeting in Charest’s office. Read more
Poland: Builder Debt Jumps as West Europe Cuts Borrowing: Poland Credit
[October 19, 2011 (Bloomberg)] — Poland’s construction industry increased debt almost three-fold in the past year to finance the nation’s biggest highway-building boom, boosting the risks of higher borrowing costs as loans come due. Read more
United Kingdom: Plant Theft Costing UK Construction Industry
[October 19, 2011] Rogue thieves are draining the life out of the UK construction industry, with crime costing businesses £75 million every year. Read more
China: Corruption still rife in construction industry
[October 19, 2011] BEIJING – Despite persistent campaigns and tough penalties in recent years, corruption in infrastructure projects is still pervasive, China’s anti-graft agencies have warned. According to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China, the country’s key anti-graft agency, over the first eight months of this year, about 6,800 officials have been prosecuted for corruption in infrastructure projects across the country. Read more
New Zealand: Dumped quake rubble is asbestos free
[October 19, 2011] Testing at a Christchurch landfill has found no evidence of asbestos after concerns that contaminated earthquake rubble had been dumped. Read more
Dubai UAE: Doing business in Dubai
[October 18, 2011] Throughout the 2000s, a prolonged real-estate boom saw Dubai eclipse the country’s capital, establishing itself as the international face of the UAE. Its coastline underwent a dramatic transformation and increased by 78 kilometres with the development of the Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island. Read more
Quebec, Canada: Charest expected to announce inquiry into Quebec construction corruption
[October 17, 2011] There may be some relief for Quebec Liberals waiting in anticipation for an expected announcement on Tuesday by their leader Premier Jean Charest that he has finally bowed to public pressure and will hold an inquiry into corruption in the construction industry. Read more
New Zealand: Govt called on to smooth road for valuable construction sector
[October 15, 2011] The building and construction industry could lead the country out of an unemployment malaise and lift domestic economic performance, a study says. A report on valuing the role of the sector was released yesterday after the Construction Strategy Group commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers. Read more
China: MTR Corp.: Over 1,500 jobs offered in MTR Job Fair
[October 15, 2011] The MTR Corporation together with 18 leading contracting and engineering companies stages a “Job Fair for the Construction Industry” today and on Sunday,15 – 16 October
2011 to attract more people to join the construction industry of Hong Kong with over
1,500 openings for walk-in interviews. Read more
Namibia: Construction Industry Disillusioned By Govt
[October 14, 2011] BUILDING industry players are flocking to join the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) as they increasingly believe that Government is letting them down. The CIF currently has close to 150 members and 40 new companies have joined its ranks since last year, boosting membership by nearly 18 percent. Read more
Australia: Victoria dominates weak housing market
[October 13, 2011] Victoria drove Australian housing construction last financial year on strong population growth but the industry has warned that building in the state is likely to slow. Read more
United Kingdom: EU Concrete and Mortars Demand Fell 18% in 2010 Because of Construction Industry Decline According to BAC Report Recently Published by MarketPublishers.com
[October 10, 2011] LONDON (BUSINESS WIRE) — In 2010 European Union demand for concrete and mortars decreased by 18% and amounted 679.6 million tons. It makes clear that European construction industry is still in decline. Only in 2011 a sluggish recovery is forecasted. Read more
Scotland: Scottish builders in apprentices legislation call
[October 9, 2011] Builders have called on the Scottish government to introduce new legislation soon to help the construction industry recruit and retain apprentices. The Scottish Building Federation (SBF) said it wanted skills and training opportunities to be a key criterion when awarding public sector contracts. Read more
