| Event brought together over 4,200 exhibitors, speakers, delegates & trade associations |
BuildTech Yangon, Myanmar’s definitive trade show for the building and construction industry concluded on 29 May 2015 after three days of fulfilling knowledge sharing, trade discussions and successful commercial engagements. The second edition of this much sought- after trade show unveiled innovative products and solutions for Myanmar’s built environment sector, resulting with the inking of many quality business deals on the trade floor across three successful trade days.
BuildTech Yangon 2015 brought together over 4,200 exhibitors, speakers, delegates and trade associations from more than nine countries across the region including Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Trade mission groups from Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam visited BuildTech Yangon 2015 to network with regional peers in order to strengthen bilateral ties between their countries and Myanmar.
Organised by SPHERE Exhibits, a subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings, and co-organised by Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association (MCEA), the industry trade show brought to life the latest products and technologies for infrastructure, residential and commercial buildings, transportation, manufacturing and trade development. The three-day business seminar series led the discussion on the abundant growth opportunities in the region.
Mr. Chua Wee Phong, Chairman of SPHERE Exhibits Pte Ltd, said: “The second edition of BuildTech Yangon has done extremely well. Our comprehensive platform combined a product showcase, seminar programmes and networking sessions to encourage industry dialogue and forge business partnerships. With strong partnership from MCEA and other supporting organisations, BuildTech Yangon 2015 introduced new elements to promote industry development. We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with key industry associations as we cater to the growing needs of the building and construction sector in the region.”
Best Construction Entrepreneurship Award
BuildTech Yangon hosted the first annual Entrepreneur of the Year Award by MCEA. Aimed at encouraging local professionals to elevate construction industry standards and skills of the workforce, the award honoured individuals who were able to incorporate the latest construction technologies into various stages of the supply chain.
Award applicants are divided into three categories according to age. Diamond, Gold and Platinum awards were presented in each category. The Diamond award winners were U Wunna Tun from, Myanmar Mahar Tun Co. Ltd in the 30-40 years category; U Kyaw Soe from Aryone Oo Co. Ltd in the 40-50 years category; and MCEA Yangon and MCEA Mandalay (two awards) in the 50-60 years category.
U Tha Hthay, Chairman of Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association, said: “The Best Construction Entrepreneurship Award is the highest honour that any Myanmar company can aspire to because it signifies that the company uses the most advanced technology and has the potential to grow and evolve at pace with international players. BuildTech Yangon is the best platform as it epitomises technology adoption in the built environment sector. BuildTech Yangon 2015 has once again placed Myanmar on the regional map by showcasing the vast potential that Myanmar offers to regional and international players in the industry.”
Robust technology showcase
Focused on bringing technology in Myanmar’s built environment sector to the next level, the show floor offered visitors a comprehensive product showcase, highlighting a range of construction technologies. Architects, engineers, surveyors, contractors, developers, government ministries and trade bodies immersed in the latest construction machinery, new materials as well as electrical and mechanical equipment.
Dancing Diggers excavation equipment from JCB had an impressive and entertaining demo on the show floor. A multi-storey car parking system from Hangzhou Xizi-Iuk Parking System Co. Ltd and a state-of-the-art glass and steel modular showroom for retail from Mottama Holdings were two of the ‘best buys’ that attracted several buyers.
Mr. Terence Chan, Trade Liaison Officer for Market, Real Estate & Indirect Sourcing Group in the International Affairs Division of Tet Phyo Wai Pte Ltd, said, “This is our first time exhibiting at BuildTech Yangon and the experience has been fantastic. The trade show has exceeded our expectations both with the number of visitors and also the quality of potential business leads we garnered. We have developed new relationships with potential customers and partners across the region. We will be returning next year and also recommending the event to others as a great business investment.”
Skills upgrading, networking and knowledge sharing
A series of business seminars over the three days of the show, saw exciting industry debates and discussions with leading experts weighing in on hot industry issues related to vertical construction, town planning, sustainable energy, construction law and more.
For the first time in the history of Myanmar’s construction sector, CPD Points were offered to a seminar platform at a trade exhibition. Local industry professionals from the built environment sector were encouraged to upgrade their skills and expand their business networks, while at the same time collecting coveted industry points.
Noteworthy speakers including Daw Si Than, General Secretary, Myanmar Engineering Council (MEngC); Tan Eng Kiat, Vice President (Urban Planning & Design), Surbana Urban Planning Group; U Win Khaing; President, Myanmar Engineering Society (MES); U Tun Naing Aung, Joint Secretary, Myanmar Industries Association (MIA), among others engaged over 600 delegates in thought provoking discussions and knowledge building topics over three days at BuildTech Yangon 2015.
“The three-day business seminar series were very informative, and I got updates on the latest trends in vertical construction across the region. It was also an eye-opener to hear some best practices for sustainable energy as there is plenty of opportunity for us to apply such learnings in Myanmar,” said Ms. Kyi Thwe from Yangon Technological University who attended the seminar series.
Significant trade mission group support from the region
BuildTech Yangon 2015 saw strong support from six trade delegations and 14 industry associations from across the region. Close to 30 delegates from Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) visited the trade show aside from other delegations from Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Singapore.
BuildTech Yangon 2015 offered a one-stop shop for purchasing requirements for the 28-strong trade delegation from Vietnam Association of Building Materials.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong, Vice Chairman and Head of International Cooperation Department of the Vietnam Association of Building Materials, said: “It was a very impressive display of relevant machinery equipment at BuildTech Yangon 2015 and our delegates were impressed with the show. We were here to network with local businesses in the CLMV region and have made some useful contacts. Our delegates can now reduce their travel this year as they are able to make some of supply decisions based on what they have seen and heard at this show.”
Other industry associations included is supported by the Indonesia’s Institute of Architects (IAI), International Power Access Federation (IPAF), Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM), Myanmar Engineering Council (MEngC), Myanmar Engineering Society (MES), Myanmar Industries Association (MIA), Singapore Business Federation (SBF), Singapore Institute of Building Limited (SIBL), The Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (UMFCCI), Vietnam Association for Building Materials (VABM), Vietnam Building Ceramic Association (VIBCA), Vietnam Electronic Industries Association (VEIA), Vietnam Electro technical Industry Association (VELINA) and the Workplace Safety & Health Asia (WSH Asia).
The next edition of BuildTech Yangon will be held in May 2016.