The entire building industry must get a fair share of the development taking place in the country and the government at a policy level must ensure it, Archt. Migara Alwis, Chairman, National Conference, Architect 2019 told the Architect 2019 launch in Colombo on Thursday.
While architects and the building fraternity too have to change and adapt to the pressure injected to the profession, up their skill set, use technology and deliver at a competitive rate, policy makers and project owners must be mindful to safeguard the local architects in particular, he said.
Alwis said Lankan architects did not have an international arena to perform and they need the support of companies to carry out their profession. He cautioned that firms with FDI were given all the duty free facilities and flagship status to enter the country as design and build contractors who claim to do a certain potion of the finance.
However he cautioned the rationale of FDI, actually coming into the country. Alwis said if it is an all foreign investment, there should be money coming in and also a transfer of knowledge taking place. But according to the new model, that is not happening always and neither money nor knowledge was imparted into the country as envisaged. He alleged for example that some foreign investor firms who enter the country construct about two apartment towers by advancing the money in Sri Lanka itself and with that money put up the hotel and take the profits out of the country. Alwis said certain foreign companies when they invest overseas get a five percent subsidiary from their government.
He said Lankan firms were therefore finding it difficult to compete with these companies from overseas and Lankan businessmen lose tenders to foreign companies. Alwis therefore requested to make the necessary amendment without delay, at policy level to support the local profession and construction industry at large.
Meanwhile the stage is set for Architect 2019 trade exhibition to be held from February 21-24 at BMICH and will be opened on February 21 by chief guest Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera.
The President of Arcasia, Archt. Rita Soh , guest of honour will deliver the keynote at the event. Over 300 trade stalls and 150 architects will display panels with architects’ work at the event.
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