Inaugural SGBuilds Award to Recognise Firms for their Strong Partnerships Resulting in Successful Internationalisation Efforts

- 36 organisations awarded for 18 international projects
- Awards given for successful overseas ventures with their partner firms to provide innovative Built Environment solutions, strengthening Singapore’s BuildSG brand internationally.

Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has introduced the SGBuilds Award to recognise the outstanding efforts made by local firms in forming strong partnerships with their local and international partners to venture overseas. Award winners are recognised in the Developer, Consultant and Builder categories, with the pinnacle SGBuilds Star Award category given to exceptional firms (more details of the Award and a full listing of the winners can be found in Annex A and B respectively).  

Designing sustainable building solutions for Micronesia archipelago

 2       TW-Asia Consultants Pte Ltd (“TW-Asia”) will be conferred with the SGBuilds Star Award (Consultant) category for its iconic 8-storey resort development at Palau Island, Republic of Palau. Slated for completion in 2021, the resort was the brainchild of a team[1] of creative and sustainability experts which TW-Asia brought together. The team proved that it was adventurous with a pioneering spirit when it answered the call of opportunity in a less accessible location, Palau – considered a ‘new frontier’ by many in the Built Environment sector. Adding diversity to the island’s vernacular architecture, the team introduced a sleek resort development which allows occupants to enjoy the beauty of nature whilst enveloped in the comfort of a modern building envelope.

3        The project proposal took into careful consideration the environmental and societal concerns of the residents as well as the availability of construction materials. Then, the project adopted a holistic solution based on BCA’s Green Mark scheme, and incorporated environmental best practices in water conservation, waste management energy efficiency, renewable energy, drainage systems and preservation of the surrounding environment and ecosystem. Ms Maey Leow, Director of TW-Asia said, “The project has won the hearts of locals – this was validated through feedback from a survey done with neighbouring residents. We are delighted with this outcome and it bears testament to the team’s vision to create an inclusive and ethical development. It will set the stage for future growth opportunities.”

Long standing partnership produces success in India for Singapore team

4        CapitaLand, one of Asia’s largest diversified real estate groups, is the first to receive the inaugural SGBuilds Star Award (Developer) category for the Group’s exemplary collaboration with Singapore firm L&W Construction Private Limited (L&W) to develop International Tech Park Pune, Kharadi (ITPP-Kharadi), Block 1. The park is being developed under CapitaLand’s private fund, Ascendas India Growth Programme. 

5        CapitaLand’s partnership with L&W began in 2009 when it appointed a joint venture established by two Singapore construction-related companies, Lee Kim Tah Pte Ltd and Woh Hup Holdings Pte Ltd, to develop Zenith building in International Tech Park Chennai. The partnership with CapitaLand marked their first foray into India’s construction industry. Since then, CapitaLand and L&W has gone from strength to strength with several CapitaLand International Tech Park developments in major cities across India. ITPP-Kharadi is the 11^th collaboration by the team in India.

6        Ms Goh Ah Moi, Chief Development Officer, Singapore and International, CapitaLand Group, said: “We are honoured to be the first real estate company to receive the top accolade by winning the SGBuilds Star Award, for ITPP-Kharadi. As a responsible developer, CapitaLand strives to deliver quality developments that enrich people and build communities where we operate. When we expand globally, we work with partners who share our vision, ambition for growth and focus on excellence. Being a Singapore company that has made our mark internationally through our world-class properties, CapitaLand is in a strong position to lend our expertise and local knowledge to help fellow Singapore companies expand overseas. During these challenging times, we continue to stand with our partners to ride through this rough patch together.”

Bringing Singapore’s building expertise and cost-effective construction solutions to Cambodia

 7       Utracon Overseas Pte Ltd (“Utracon”) will be receiving the SGBuilds Star Award (Builder) category for securing a project to construct a building complex for the National Bank of Cambodia. Recognised for their expertise in the post-tensioning specialist trade, Utracon assisted to bring together architectural, engineering and project management expertise from five other firms[2]. Through their collaboration, they were able to provide a quality and cost-effective construction method for their client, without compromising on the timeliness of the project. As a result of their successful collaboration, they were awarded a third project from the same client.

8        Speaking on behalf of the team to share how the six Singapore companies banded together, Mr Khoo Jyh Hao, Utracon Overseas Pte Ltd, said, “Finding like-minded and motivated firms is important particularly for international projects. Being able to venture out internationally is already challenging. On top of that, constructing a sensitive and secured project for a well-established client is something that many would not take on. We were fortunate to have been able to team up with Atelier International Management Pte Ltd with their vast market familiarity in Cambodia and also our other partners for their respective expertise, with the goal of achieving the best project outcome.”

9        Mr Hugh Lim, CEO, BCA, said, “It has been almost 3 years since we launched the Construction Industry Transformation Map in October 2017. Since then, we have worked towards fulfilling our vision of an advanced and integrated sector; with progressive and collaborative firms offering good jobs for Singaporeans. The SGBuilds award is a good recognition of industry efforts in fulfilling this vision through internationalisation in a collaborative manner. We hope that these awards will inspire other Singapore firms across the entire BE value chain to consider how to pool their capabilities and resources to venture into new markets overseas. We are confident that Singapore firms will have strong solutions that can meet emerging needs of a post-COVID world. With tighter resources, Singapore companies, more than ever, must work together to be ready to pursue opportunities at home and abroad. This must be the hallmark of the SGBuilds spirit, to power us to emerge from COVID-19 stronger, together.”