CCA Hosts Four Events in Three Days
December 3-5, 2015 heralded a great milestone for the Cambodia Constructors Association (CCA) as it successfully hosted four consecutive events to promote its members and the building and property industries in Cambodia: the 4th Annual Summit, 2nd Construction Expo, 4th CCA Business Networking Party, and the Construction Development Seminar.
The CCA was founded under the initiation of the Ministry of Land Management Urban Planning and Construction after organising its 1st general assembly in October 2011. Shortly after its establishment, the CCA joined the ASEAN Constructors Federation (ACF) which represents constructors in Southeast Asia region in December 2011.
In 2014, the association enrolled as a member of the China-ASEAN Building Materials Committee and a member of the International Federation of Asian & Western Pacific Contractors Association (IFAWPCA).
4th CCA Summit
Since its inception, the association has organised the annual general assembly to report on its activities and announce its future plans to keep members informed and encourage new members to enrol. The 4th CCA Summit gave the opportunity for all the members to meet, network, and discuss the challenges and opportunities that arose in the industry over the year.
Now approaching four years old, the CCA has seen membership grow from 23 in 2012 to 50 in 2013, 80 in 2014 and to 110 in 2015. Members comprise local and international constructors, developers, construction material suppliers, realtors, banks and insurers.
The 4th summit was celebrated on 3 December at Diamond Island Exhibition Hall and gathered hundreds of representatives from the 110 member companies, as well as government officials, and representatives of local and international construction firms and associations.
Among the various achievements, Dr. Tan Monyvann, representative of Lok Oknha Mong Reththy, CCA Secretary General said that the association had signed a MoU with the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training on technical training cooperation and another MoU with the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction on construction building works. It had also signed deals with international firms and associations for mutual interests.
Neak Oknha Pung Kheav Se, CCA Chairman expanded on the association’s efforts and achievements. Through the group’s request to the government, it had successfully gained permission to pump sand to serve the building industry as well as getting approval to issue titles for respective owners who purchased properties from a halted condominium in Phnom Penh so the building can be rescued from remaining a skeleton.
Since the association has fully supported the China-ASEAN cooperation via the China-backed infrastructure policy of “one belt one road”, he hopes some CCA members will benefit from or win the infrastructure projects that will run across Cambodia.
“We want to stress that the CCA has a warm cooperation with both the government and local and international construction-related agencies,” he said.
Presiding over the opening ceremony, H.E. Im Chhun Lim, Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, agreed on the significance of the CCA being able to gather more construction company members in order to easily disseminate technical information, provide management consultations and give feedback on the administrative, juridical, health and construction safety issues.
According to the minister, investment in construction from 2011 to 2014 averaged $2.2 billion per year. From January to November 2015, the sector absorbed over $2.9 billion, a growth of 27 percent against the same period in 2014. He also identified that over $1.5 billion, equal to 54 percent of the total investment, was invested in 56 high-rise projects ranging from 10 to 55 floors high.
“In 2015, the building sector still grew along with the growing trend of urban planning by the inflow of foreign capital which made this year, a year of condominium and apartments construction,” he said.
2nd Construction Expo
The CCA also hosted its 2nd Annual “Cambodia Construction Industry Expo” from 3-5 December at Diamond Island Exhibition Hall. While the first event attracted over 100 exhibiting companies with 220 booths and over 5,300 visitors, this 2nd trade show brought over 250 stands and over 150 products. Almost 9,000 local and international visitors attended the show.
The fair’s layout was divided into three sections: real estate firms, banks, and insurers; construction material and decoration; and electrical, plumbing and water supply, machinery, mechanical and steel frame. On display were a huge range of products and services from across the construction and property industries.
“The expo has served both to promote the association’s activities and benefitted its members so as to promote the nation’s thriving construction industry,” said Neak Oknha Pung.
Construction Development Seminar
A unique seminar on construction development was hosted during the expo that featured various presentations organised to benefit exhibitors, visitors, and investors.
There were presentations on: opportunities to apply for scholarships to study construction-related subjects in Australia; the procedure to apply for construction permits and construction business operation licences; the sub-decree on urban planning in the capital; on municipalities and urban; the national housing policy; the procedure to receive property ownership; investment in Cambodia; and the benefits of being a member of the professional Architect and Board of Engineers Cambodia.
Business Networking Party
Making the best of this golden opportunity, the CCA also organised the 4th Business Networking Party on 4 December to bring together all CCA members and exhibitors to give them less formal opportunities to build networks and engage in business matching.
Three exhibitors with 8 booths and up were also provided the opportunity to give a 10-minute presentation on their business to the gathering. Three companies enjoyed the opportunities. The Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC) talked about their real estate projects, Chinese-based Union Development promoted its 36,000-hectare Dara Sakor Seashore Resort, and United Mercury Group (UMG) showcased their heavy machineries.
Speaking on behalf of the CCA Chairman, Acting Chairman Charles Vann committed the association to bring more benefits to its members via all possible avenues besides the existing trade shows, seminars and business networking parties.
“Via the many achievements and activities, we can see that the four-year old CCA has contributed much to the private construction sector since our members are from all areas of the construction industry,” he said.
He appealed to all members to strengthen ties to help develop the industry. He also hoped to see more construction-related companies register to be members in the common effort to collectively uplift the nation’s construction industry.
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