Construction Focus
Work Starts on Malay Rail Connection
Work officially began on the construction of Malaysia’s flagship infrastructure project, the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) on 9 August. The USD13 billion project will connect Port Klang on the west coast near the capital Kuala Lumpur to Kelantan near the Thai border with 23 stations in between. Under the One Belt, One Road initiative, the project is being majority funded and wholly built by Ch...
Read MoreScg Sign Jv for Viet Petro-chemical Plant
Thailand’s construction material giant Siam Cement Group (SCG) has signed a joint venture agreement with Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) to build the first petrochemical plant in Vietnam. The USD5.6 billion project, located 100km from Ho Chi Minh City in south Vietnam, will see construction of a one million ton ethylene cracker, the development of a deep sea port and other infrastructu...
Read MoreChina Clarifies Overseas Investment Ruling
After a period of uncertainty, China has formally clarified new rules on overseas investments. The new legal framework comprises three categories; banned, restricted and encouraged. In a positive sign for the region, companies engaging in the nation’s ambitious One Belt One Road initiative lie in the ‘encouraged’ category. The new rules will likely have an impact on the region’s construction an...
Read MoreThailand Approves Rail Link
After years of negotiations, Thailand’s cabinet finally gave approval to construction of the first phase of a high-speed railway to the Laotian border in July. The approval followed the issuing of an executive order by the nation’s military government. Phase one will be the 250-km line between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima which is expected to cost USD5.2 billion and cover one-third of the dist...
Read MorePressure Builds for Thai Kra Canal
Pressure is mounting on the Thai government from a powerful domestic and Chinese lobby group to approve a study into building an international shipping canal. The proposed 140km twin canal project would provide access across Thailand’s Kra isthmus, allowing ships to avoid the Straits of Malacca. Located between Sumatra and the Malay peninsula, the straits see over 94,000 ships pass each year...
Read MoreUs Firm Wins Malaysia Mass Transit Contract
A US firm has won a lucrative contract on the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya (SSP) Line in Malaysia. Jacobs Engineering will provide design consultancy for all the track-work and associated infrastructure, and use building information modeling (BIM) throughout the construction process. The Dallas company has been targeting transport infrastructure proj...
Read MoreCambodia Announces Eight Expressways
To ease traffic and boost the nation’s economic growth, Cambodia has announced the construction of eight expressways connecting the capital Phnom Penh to various destinations. Unlike the national roads, expressways are specially designed for high-speed and long distances. Entrances and exits are limited to interchanges and there are no stop signals. They have four or more lanes with a media...
Read MoreRinnai Showcases Hot Water Solutions to Siem Reap Market
Having dominated the Phnom Penh market for hot water solutions, Rinnai is now being introduced to dozens of commercial businesses in the Siem Reap market. The products are made available in Cambodia through an exclusive dealership by Camcona Trading Cambodia Co., Ltd. With almost five years background in Cambodia, this Japanese water heater solutions brand is now expanding to Siem Reap. ...
Read MoreJapanese Go Ultra-luxury in Phuket
A leading Japanese property developer has entered into a joint venture to create an ultra-luxury residential project in Phuket, Thailand worth an estimated USD174 million. Kajima Overseas Asia has joined with Minor International (MINT), a SET-listed operator of hotels and restaurants worldwide to develop Avadina Hills; 16 luxury villas spread over 1.8 hectares. Phase 1 will see 11 villas built ...
Read MorePhilippines Bans Workers to Qatar
The Philippines has banned workers from travelling to Qatar after four neighbouring Gulf States imposed a blockade on the tiny emirate in protest at alleged links to terrorist funding at the start of June. There are over 140,000 documented Filipino workers reside in Qatar, with many working on huge construction and infrastructure projects related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The government of...
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