12/02/2026

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THURSDAY | FEB 12, 2026

ICW & BuildXpo 2026 targets RM2b potential business deals

explore solutions and shape the future of construction. “As we move towards ICW & BuildXpo 2026 under the theme ‘Beyond Limits,’ our focus remains clear to elevate the platform so that it delivers tangible value to the in dustry, supports innovation adoption and strengthens regional con nectivity across Asean and beyond,” he said. ICW & BuildXpo this year will welcome Glasstech Asia & Fenestration Asia 2026 (GAFA 2026) to elevate Malaysia’s profile in the global built environment. GAFA, organised by Messe Munchen International (MMI) Asia Pte Ltd, is a showcase that will be held in conjunction with ICW & BuildXpo 2026. GAFA 2026 is expected to showcase 350 exhibitors across one exhibition hall at BuildXpo 2026. GAFA 2026 will focus on glass and window, glass manufacturing equipment and machinery, façades and chemicals. MMI Asia CEO Michael Wilton said GAFA has developed a regional presence through editions in Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok and Singapore, providing a platform for industry professionals to connect, exchange ideas and strengthen the regional glass and façade sector. “By joining ICW & BuildXpo this year, GAFA will be part of a platform where industry expertise, project development and sector innovation converge. This approach strengthens collaboration, promotes knowledge exchange across disciplines and reflects the interconnected nature of the modern construction industry,” he added. nance and institutional harmony, and promoting social justice, imple mented through 12 drivers and 132 interventions across ministries, agencies, and government-linked companies. “Success is measured not by announcements, but by tangible results and impact,”Akmal said, noting upgrades to the PuTERA35 moni toring dashboard will ensure inte grated, data-driven oversight of all initiatives. With government and private sector support, Teraju aims to create an inclusive, competitive ecosystem that nurtures high-growth, high-value Bumiputera firms, accelerates job creation, and enhances Malaysia’s economic resilience. “We want Bumiputera to ‘step up the standard,’ the economy to ‘increase in value,’ and Malaysia to ‘rise in stature’,” Akmal concluded before officially launching the Teraju Aspirasi Outreach 2026.

“In contrast, in Malaysia, a 10 storey building took 10 years to complete and was only recently officiated by the prime minister, namely Hospital Seberang Jaya. There is also a 40km highway project that takes 10 years to complete,” he said. ICW Borneo will take place on May 12-13 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, as a precursor to the main ICW event at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 10-12. The goal is to connect East Malaysia with Penin sular Malaysia and international construction markets. Last year’s ICW & BuildXpo generated RM1.41 billion in pro jected business transactions, drawing 210 exhibitors from 11 countries and 15,987 trade visitors, representing a 23% increase in turnout. For 2026, organisers are targeting 250 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions and 20,000 trade visitors, comprising contractors, consultants, engineers, architects, manufacturers, suppliers, property developers and facility managers. The event will feature business matching sessions involving 20 buyers from 10 countries and regions. ICW & BuildXpo 2026 is hosted by the Ministry of Works and the Construction Industry Development Board, and managed by Qube Integrated Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Qube Integrated Malaysia execu tive chairman Richard Teo said that, over the years, ICW & BuildXpo has become a pivotal hub for the industry, bringing together policy makers, innovators, businesses and professionals to exchange ideas, facilitation, financing support and ecosystem alignment. “Through this strategic part nership, we are providing a clear pathway for firms to become investment-ready and scale regionally and internationally,” Akmal said. The event also featured strategic networking sessions with partners across finance, infrastructure, regu lation, talent, technology and marketing, reinforcing cross-sector collaboration to accelerate market access and business growth. Bumi putera entrepreneurs who completed the Elevate programme, in colla boration with the Securities Com mission Malaysia, were recognised during the ceremony. The initiatives align with PuTERA35, Teraju’s flagship plan targeting a 15% Bumiputera contri bution to GDP by 2035.PuTERA35 operates on three pillars – streng thening the national economic foundation, consolidating gover

Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

o This year’s expanded event to showcase new technologies in construction and building industry, aims to attract 20,000 visitors

KUALA LUMPUR: International Construction Week (ICW) & BuildXpo Malaysia 2026 is targeting RM2 billion in potential business transactions, up from RM1.4 billion recorded last year, supported by higher international participation, technology showcases and co locations. Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan said the event aims to attract 20,000 visitors, compared with 15,987 last year. “We hope the potential sales will increase to RM2 billion in sales from RM1.4 billion. We also hope atten

showcase new technologies that can elevate our construction standards. We want to showcase the potential of future technologies.” Ahmad cited a 10-storey building in China was completed in 28 hours using the Modular Precast System, while a 100km four-lane highway in India was built in 100 hours and recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records.

dance can rise to 20,000 from 15,987 last year,” he said at a press conference after the soft launch of ICW & BuildXpo Malaysia 2026 yesterday. Ahmad said the event should show how Malaysia can use existing construction technology to complete roads, bridges and buildings faster and more efficiently. “The ministry’s responsibility is to introduce and

Ahmad (third, left), Wilton

(second, left) and Teo (right) at the soft launch of International Construction Week and BuildXpo 2026 at

the Malaysia International Trade and

Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Teraju launches four new programmes to scale up Bumiputera firms

expansion. “This completes Teraju’s ecosystem of facilitation and strategic financing, helping Bumiputera firms enhance business value sustainably,” Akmal added. Teraju CEO Junady Nawawi high lighted the achievements of 2025 as a foundation for 2026’s more ambitious agenda. “Through the Bumiputera Expansion and Catalyst Fund (BECF), RM1.07 billion was channelled to over 500 firms. Meanwhile, RM158 million in working capital via i-WCPF bene fitted 276 companies. “In total, more than 800 Bumi putera firms received direct financing, with 418 supported via facilitation services, surpassing our RM1 billion target for the year,” he said. The minister also underscored the collaboration between Teraju and Bursa Malaysia under the Xcelerate programme, which aims to prepare high-potential firms for public listing through structured

attended by over 500 industry players, recipient companies, financial insti tutions and strategic partners. The minister noted that while Bumiputera participation in Malaysia’s economy is significant, their contri bution to gross domestic product (GDP) remains modest at 8.1%, highlighting the need for targeted measures to strengthen involvement in strategic value chains and high tech industries. The new programmes adopt a phased development approach. Ascend, Enhance, Xcelerate provide structured support from operational and financial strengthening, leader ship and governance enhancement, to investment readiness and market expansion, enabling firms to scale sustainably. BSAF, meanwhile, is aimed at sup porting strategic growth initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions, management buyouts, pre-IPO prepa rations, and international market

PETALING JAYA: The government is intensifying efforts to scale up Bumiputera enterprises with the launch of four new initiatives under the Teraju Aspirasi Outreach 2026, aimed at creating real business value and preparing firms for national and regional markets. Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the programmes, Ascend, Enhance, Xcelerate and the Bumiputera Strategic Acquisition Fund (BSAF) are designed to strengthen company capabilities, improve investment readiness, and accelerate the growth of high potential Bumiputera firms. “Bumiputera empowerment must move beyond mere numbers. The focus is on quality participation, productivity, income generation and control in high-value sectors,” Akmal said during the event yesterday, Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM sunbiz@thesundaily.com