Australian Building and Construction Expo: OZBUILD EXPO 2007

The large number of Australian companies set to participate in next week’s Australian Building Exhibition in Jakarta again highlighted the strong Australian interest in trade and investment opportunities in Indonesia, according to Australia’s Ambassador, Bill Farmer.

Over 40 of Australia’s major building and construction companies will attend OZBUILD EXPO 2007 on 28-29 August, with this year’s event almost double the size of the inaugural 2006 Expo.

“OZBUILD 2007 brings together the latest Australian technology and products in building and construction, as well as leading architects from both countries,” Mr Farmer said.

“Nanotechnology coatings, low cost and durable prefabricated housing, building automation systems and architectural membrane structures will be among the advanced products and technologies on display at the Expo,” he said. “There will also be a range of environmentally-friendly products and techniques for visitors to see.”

The Ambassador said Australian companies recognised the vast opportunities in building and construction in Indonesia in the years ahead, particularly given the forecast potential growth in new urban areas.

“Australian firms are well placed to continue to work with their Indonesian partners in planning, designing and building the infrastructure required to support this growth,” he said.

“As well as showcasing Australian capabilities in the sector, OZBUILD EXPO 2007 will provide a great opportunity for business networking, as local firms seek solutions for their building and construction needs,” Mr Farmer said.

Two-way trade in building and construction products and services between Australia and Indonesia rose 20 per cent in 2006 to IDR960 billion.

Australia’s world-leading building and construction sector accounted for 6.8 per cent of the country’s GDP in 2005-06, contributing A$62.4 billion (USD50 billion) to the national economy and employing eight per cent of the work force (about 730,000 Australians).

Australian architectural firms rank 7th in terms of their share of the global market and have been involved in a number of high-profile projects, including the eye-catching “Watercube” aquatic centre for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, designed by Australian firm PTW Architects.

PTW is also part of an Australian consortium working to develop arguably the most distinctive urban development projects in the world, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Jumeirah in Dubei.

Ms Diane Jones, Principal Director of PTW Architects, will deliver a keynote address at one of the OZBUILD industry seminars, along with leading Indonesian architects, such as Budhi Pradono, and project managers such as Budhy Manan and Budiman Hoolan Hendropurnomo from Denton Corker Marshall.

OZBUILD has been organised by the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade), with support from the Indonesian Contractors Association. BlueScope Steel Indonesia, Clipsal, Vulcan Australia and Pierlite Australia, all companies with a long history of involvement in Indonesia’s building and construction sector, are the principal sponsors of the Expo.

For further information, please contact:
Diana Permana Ph: 2550-5320, Email: [email protected].

Media Inquiries:
John Williams (Counsellor, Public Affairs) tel. 021 2550 5290 mob. 0812 105 3989