Category: Events

Events

China-Singapore Building Materials and Construction Cooperation Conference

Post author By sbmsa 7s6bpv
Post date 14 February, 2022
No Comments on China-Singapore Building Materials and Construction Cooperation Conference

29TH JUNE 2022

China Enterprises Association (Singapore) wish to promote exchanges and cooperation between China and Singapore in the field of building materials and construction, and jointly expand new opportunities for cooperation in the third-party market in Southeast Asia, members are hereby invited to join this conference on 29 June 2022. The president, Mr Ng Soy Ng was invited to give a speech during this conference.

Speech by Mr Ng Soy Ng, President of the Singapore Building Materials Suppliers' Association (SBMSA), at the China-Singapore Building Materials and Construction Cooperation Conference organised by the China Enterprises Association (Singapore) on 29 June 2022.

(Singapore Green Building Development)

From 2005 to 2022 (17 years), Singapore promoted Green Building Development and drew up a series of development blueprints. I would like to briefly introduce you to explore opportunities for cooperation and development between Singapore and China in building and developing Green Buildings.

Singapore is a tropical developed country with a higher standard of living compared to other tropical countries. Hence, with greater resource consumption, I am afraid no country like Singapore can turn on air-conditioners all year round.

Singapore is in great demand for resources and relies heavily on imported resources such as water, electricity, and gas. Electricity comes from three main sources: Firstly, waste incineration (5 percent). Secondly, natural gas imports from other countries, and lastly, electricity imports from Malaysia. Only 5 percent of the electricity generated from waste is owned by oneself. Besides collecting some fresh water, Singapore’s water supply is completely constrained by Malaysia. If Malaysia does not provide water, or if the weather is dry and there is a shortage of water, Singapore can only suffer.

Hence, in terms of resources, the Singapore Government has always attached great importance to raising revenue and cutting expenditure. Founding Prime Minister (PM) Lee Kuan Yew once said, “On the day Singapore separated from Malaysia, we knew that the other party would put pressure on water supply, so we had to systematically use every drop of rain that fell from the sky.”

Buildings in Singapore account for 40 percent of the country’s total electricity consumption and more than 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. This high electricity consumption has enabled the Government to actively improve energy efficiency in buildings. From 2005, the BCA released the “Green Building Certification Scheme”, setting the 2030 “80-80-80” target:

80% of buildings meet green building standards.
80% of new buildings meet the “ultra-low energy consumption” requirement.
80% improvement in energy efficiency for all buildings.

Green buildings are not just about planting flowers and plants, BCA’s five key indicators are energy efficiency, water conservation, environmental protection, indoor environmental quality, and green features and innovation.

Progress Milestones for Green Buildings in Singapore:

2005 – Launch of BCA Green Mark Certification Scheme in Singapore

2006 – Launch of the First Green Building Masterplan

2007 – Launch of Sustainable Construction Masterplan

2008 – Amendments to Building Control Act to enforce minimum environmental standards for new buildings

2009 – Building and Construction Authority Zero-Energy Building was launched as a model for the Second Green Building Masterplan

2012 – Achieved the goal of 1000th Green Mark Project and 100th Platinum Award Project. Revision of the Control Act of Parliament / Introduction of minimum environmental sustainability standards requirements for existing buildings / Submission of energy consumption and related data by utilities and construction companies / Periodic review of air-conditioning system efficiency.

2014 – The 3rd Green Building Masterplan was launched As the number of green buildings advanced from 17 in 2005 to 2,100 in 2014 (62 million m2, equivalent to 25% of total building area).

3 Strategic Objectives:

Continue to lead green buildings
Expand collaborations & participation
Practise sustainable performance

2017 – Conducted a mid-term review of the 3rd Green Building Masterplan

Achievements and targets of the Singapore Green Building Masterplan: 2005 (0.1%), 2010 (13%), 2020 (43%), 2030 (80%).

Singapore is a leader in green building development in ASEAN and Asia, and is the first green building rating system designed specifically for tropical climates, gaining international recognition and accolades.

Nevertheless, Singapore still has a long way to go to meet the target of 80 percent of green buildings. The huge demand for green building materials, including building structural materials, interior and exterior decorative materials, air-conditioning, lighting, lighting and innovative solutions for green buildings, will provide excellent business opportunities for local and Chinese enterprises.

With a population of 5.6 million and a land area of 720 square kilometres, Singapore is a major financial and port hub in the world. With its excellent geographical location and political stability, it is still the largest investor country in China. Apart from the Singapore market, we hope that Chinese enterprises will work with Singapore to open a third-party market. Both sides complement each other in terms of resources, capital, technology and management, and tap on ASEAN’s huge market to achieve the goal.

- Mr Ng Soy Ng, President of the Singapore Building Materials Suppliers' Association (SBMSA)

Events

Chinese New Year Tuanbai

11TH FEBRUARY 2022

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 Omicron variant and restrictions of Safe Management Measures, SBMSA’s Chinese New Year Tuanbai was conducted via Zoom this year.

Mr Ng Soy Ng, the president of SBMSA, wished everyone a happy new year and a prosperous Year of the Tiger. Mr Ng hopes that the pandemic situation in Singapore can be better controlled, and the business can recover progressively in the near future. He encouraged members to respond calmly and not be pessimistic.

Mr Ng mentioned that SBMSA is preparing for an Online Walkabout session on 19 February 2022, where two companies will be the first to introduce their companies to other members. Mr Ng also hopes that more members will join this event in the future. He encouraged members to use technology to keep in touch during this difficult time to promote better communication and cooperation between members.

Attendees also shared the problems that they are facing, e.g. manpower shortage, increase in labour costs, etc. Due to delays in construction projects, building materials suppliers are also facing problem of not being able to receive payment for supplies as scheduled.

(Photo of some of the participants)

Events

Dialogue with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA)

Post author By sbmsa 7s6bpv
Post date 27 January, 2022
No Comments on Dialogue with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA)

27TH JANUARY 2022

On 27 January 2022, initiated and organized by our Executive Committee, Singapore Building Materials Suppliers’ Association (SBMSA) had an in-depth online dialogue with Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

Attending this dialogue were Director of BCA Partnership Engagement Group, Mr Reginald Wee and Assistant Ms Claryce Ng, as well as SBMSA President Mr Ng Soy Ng, Vice-President Mr George Tan, Vice-President Mr Colin Lim Beng Beng, Honorary Secretary Mr Kenny Lim, Honorary Treasurer Mr Pang Ah Sing, Assistant Honorary Trade Officer Ms Susan Ang Hwee Tin, Internal Auditor Mr Timothy Ong and Chun Hoe Pte Ltd Representative Leo.

SBMSA expressed the concerns and views raised by business owners about the difficulties and challenges faced by the construction industry and building materials suppliers. The topics covered in this dialogue include :

Due to the impact of Covid-19, the construction industry is facing challenges of project delays due to the shortage of migrant workers;
Supply chains and importation of migrant workers have being severely affected by border control restrictions;
The issue of high local land prices and high levy.
And small and medium-sized building materials suppliers are facing problems such as increase in material prices, supply chain disruptions, cash flow issues, and inability to fulfil existing contracts, etc.

SBMSA hopes that BCA will be to convey the business owners’ concerns and help to solve their problems.

Mr Reginald Wee encouraged companies to stay resilient, strengthen cooperation and support among peers, and promote industry automation and digitalization to achieve growth and transformation.

President Mr Ng Soy Ng also took this opportunity to express his interest in green building materials and his willingness to cooperate with local Higher Education Institutes to research and develop new green building materials. He thanked Mr Reginald Wee for taking the time to participate in this dialogue, and hoped that there will be more dialogue opportunities in the future.

Events

Inauguration Ceremony of the 59th Term

Post author By sbmsa 7s6bpv
Post date 17 November, 2021
No Comments on Inauguration Ceremony of the 59th Term

17TH NOVEMBER 2021

Singapore Building Materials Suppliers’ Association (SBMSA) held the 59^th term of Inauguration Ceremony in TA Hub Theatrette (Jurong Town Hall) at 4pm on 17 November 2021. Minister of National Development, Mr Desmond Lee presided over the ceremony and gave a speech.

Due to the safety measures and number restrictions during the epidemic, in addition to the new executive committees, only representatives from the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI), Singapore Ship-Chandlers Association, Singapore Rope, Hardware & Paint Merchants Association, Singapore Hardware and Tools Association, Singapore Sanitary Ware Importers & Exporters Association, Singapore Metal & Machinery Association, Specialists Trade Alliance of Singapore (STAS), Singapore Glass Association, Singapore Timber Association (STA) and Singapore Renovation Contractors and Material Suppliers Association (RCMA) were invited to attend the ceremony.

After the ceremony, Minister Desmond Lee had a cordial exchange with the attendees for more than one hour during the tea break, listened intently to many questions, and was more concerned about the impact of building materials business for small and medium-sized enterprises during this severe epidemic.

Attachments: Minister Desmond Lee’s speech, President Ng Soy Ng’s speech, Newspaper clippings published in the Lianhe Zaobao, and many wonderful pictures.

Minister Desmond Lee’s speech

President Ng Soy Ng's Speech

Minister of National Development Mr Desmond Lee, SCCCI Chairman of the General Affairs Committee Mr Thomas Pek, Chairman of Boon Lay CCC Mr Jimmy Ng, Singapore Ship-Chandlers Association, Singapore Rope, Hardware & Paint Merchants Association, Singapore Hardware and Tools Association, Singapore Sanitary Ware Importers & Exporters Association, Singapore Metal & Machinery Association, Specialists Trade Alliance of Singapore (STAS), Singapore Timber Association (STA), Singapore Glass Association, Singapore Renovation Contractors and Material Suppliers Association (RCMA), and all executive committees, good afternoon!

First and foremost, on behalf of SBMSA, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Minister Desmond Lee who took the time out from his busy schedule to preside over the ceremony for us.

Thanks to Minister Desmond Lee for coming to preside over the ceremony during this difficult time and encouraging us as well.

Covid-19 has been prevalent around the world for these two years, and Singapore is not immune to it. In addition to the safety of our lives being threatened, the daily lives of the people in the country have been disrupted, all walks of life are disgruntled, and the construction industry is the first to bear the brunt.

The construction and related industries including building materials suppliers have been facing difficulties such as project delays, manpower shortages, increase in material prices, supply chain disruptions, cash turnover, and so on. In the foreseeable future, conflicts may arise due to these problems surfacing one after another, which may cause more contractors “suspend the business”.

The guests who attending today are all from construction industries who share the same feelings. After the ceremony, there is a chance to express for heartfelt feelings with Minister Desmond Lee and hoping Minister Desmond Lee will be able to advise and guide us out of this predicament and tide over the difficulties.

SBMSA is 92 years old this year, facing advanced technology environments is a big challenge, but the elderly must learn to change and transform.

The new term of executive committees includes the old and young people. We hope that they can renew the old and bring forth the new, actively transforming on the foundation laid by their predecessors.

In the past 3 years, SBMSA has rented out the existing property and moved to TA Hub. SBMSA has been neighbours with SCCCI and more than 30 trade associations to support each other and share resources.

SBMSA also using the shared secretariat service from SCCCI to strengthen and improve the operation and quality of the association, laying a solid foundation for the gradual transformation.

Externally, SBMSA established a relationship with the China-ASEAN Business Council in 2015, signed a memorandum and became their member. SBMSA was appointed as a member of the “Construction Industry Cooperation Committee” under the Council. The “Industrial Cooperation Committee” under the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) was established by 15 countries in the region, including China, Japan and Australia, and SBMSA is being part of the committee members.

These international connections allowed SBMSA has the opportunity to travel abroad and to open up overseas markets. This is also an important step in the transformation of the industry group and the way for Singapore to survive.

The recent World Climate Conference held in Glasgow, UK, made us deeply feel that the Earth is sick, and it is very sick. We are all a part of the Earth and as a supplier of building materials, it has always been our goal and responsibility to find innovative green materials. Last year, SBMSA and Singapore Polytechnic signed a memorandum of cooperation, looking forward to the development of sustainable green materials which suitable for tropical climates, hoping to contribute to environmental protection.

As the vaccination rate increases and the government adopts a policy to “coexist with Covid-19”, SBMSA hopes that the restrictions will gradually relax, and the days to return to normal so that we can restart physical activities, visit members, travel overseas for inspections and for our newly established Youth Team to rally together, hoping to be able to toast and sing karaoke soon!

Lastly, we would like once again thank Minister Desmond Lee and all guests for coming to attend this inauguration ceremony of SBMSA. I wish all of you the best, health and safety. Thank you!