KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is stepping up efforts to transform its construction industry through technology transfer, local innovations and international collaborations to improve productivity and strengthen its global competitiveness, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
He said the country was focusing on making the industry more productive, innovative and sustainable, with the Modular Construction Roadmap 2026-2030 serving as a key initiative towards adopting faster, more efficient and higher-quality construction methods.
Nanta said Malaysia was still on a learning curve in adopting advanced construction technologies but had made encouraging progress in developing its own innovations.
“We are not quite there yet because we still have many things to learn. But I am proud to say that we have developed our own local products, which are not even available internationally,” he said at a press conference after the opening of International Construction Week (ICW) and BuildXpo Malaysia 2026 here today.
He said collaborations between the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and international industry partners would also strengthen local capabilities in modular construction and three-dimensional concrete printing.
He said innovations developed by the Public Works Department (JKR), CIDB and the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), particularly in highway maintenance technology, demonstrated the country’s growing ability to develop homegrown solutions.
Nanta said the government was also placing greater emphasis on technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to equip younger Malaysians with the skills required to support the industry’s technological transformation.
He cited the country’s recent participation in the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, where Malaysia secured more medals and awards than in its previous participation, as an encouraging development in strengthening its technical workforce.
“The government would intensify efforts to develop young talent, particularly in engineering and technology, as these fields are increasingly important to national development.”
Nanta said ICW and BuildXpo Malaysia also provided a platform for Malaysian companies to connect with global industry players, exchange knowledge and explore new business opportunities.
“This year’s three-day event was expected to attract about 20,000 participants, with more than 200 exhibitors taking part.
“The participation reflected growing international interest in Malaysia’s construction industry and provided opportunities for local companies to showcase Malaysian-made products while learning about emerging technologies,” he said.
Nanta said the construction industry contributed about four per cent to the country’s GDP, although its overall economic impact could be higher when related manufacturing activities and building materials were taken into account.
