Mr Desmond Lee

Minister for National Development & Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration

The built environment sector has been hard hit by the COVID-19 crisis over the past two years. While we have been progressively recovering, and construction output is now close to pre-COVID-19 levels, let us not forget what this experience has taught us. Industry transformation is necessary to build up our resilience to future crises. This is why the Government has introduced measures to reduce reliance on foreign manpower and extended productivity schemes to accelerate the built environment sector transformation, as announced at this year’s Budget and Committee of Supply debate.

I am encouraged to know that MBAS is spearheading efforts to raise the capabilities of our micro builders and look forward to MBAS being a cornerstone of a progressive built environment sector. I look forward to the growth and success of our micro builders through adopting and innovating productive construction methods, leveraging digitalisation and even robotics. These steps will sharpen your competitive edge and build business resilience.

Your leadership and shared drive to achieve a progressive sector is important in ensuring the success of the built environment sector to become more automated, digitalised, and sustainable.