Projects worth RM115 billion to be implemented this year: Fadillah

The Works Ministry expects projects worth RM115 billion would be implemented this year.

Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof said the construction sector recorded projects worth RM124 billion in 2012 and RM108 billion in 2013.

"Out of that total, 85 per cent was contributed by private projects in 2012 and in 2013, 81 per cent," he said at the Construction Industry Dialogue, Thursday.

He said this development was in line with the rapid growth of the construction industry in Asia, with Malaysia bagging the top spot in the 'Fastest Growing Construction Market in Asia' category and fourth place in the 'Most Profitable Construction Market in Asia' category.

Fadillah said the construction sector has grown 9.6 per cent this year.

"The construction sector expanded at 18.1 per cent in 2012 and still grew by double digits, by 10.9 per cent, in 2013.

"Although this showed a little decline compared to 2012, the growth in this sector is still strong compared to other sectors and is expected to remain for 2014," he said.

He said in the coming year, demand for construction is expected to hold with the development of big projects such as the MRT Line 2, Tun Razak Exchange and River of Life Kuala Lumpur.