Benefits for SMEs — by Ir Ts. Zuraihi Abdul Ghani

Introduced in 2019, the CIDB IBS’ Vendor Development Programme (VDP) is a joint initiative between CIDB IBS and the Works Ministry to support the growth of the Industrial Building Systems (IBS) industry in Malaysia. It offers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) a pathway to becoming an IBS solution and service provider.

SMEs may be reluctant to hop on the IBS bandwagon because it will be costly for them to enter the supplier market, as they are required to invest in expensive machinery. Hence, serving the vendor market will be more profitable for SMEs rather than becoming IBS manufacturers. This is where the VDP comes in.

The VDP is part of the Malaysian Government’s effort to provide SMEs with a golden opportunity to participate in the nation’s construction industry technical advisory in terms of capacity building, IBS technology, and Building Information Modelling (BIM). In addition, participants will benefit from a streamlined application process for the IMPACT Certification Program, as well as assistance on how to implement the IBS Design Standards for housing projects.

The VDP offers potential participants the opportunity to:

• Further develop and strengthen their expertise as an IBS entrepreneur through training and certification programs
• Access to cutting-edge IBS technology
• Become a strategic partner with the government and other private organisations, which helps them expand their IBS business
• Participate in CIDB IBS’ promotional activities to raise awareness of their company
• Advertise and commercialise their IBS product through the IBSWare e-marketplace platform

Through the VDP, the government aims to create and develop successful SMEs in the nation’s construction industry, to provide a platform for SMEs to pursue opportunities in the IBS construction industry, and to further strengthen existing IBS industry players, thereby increasing the number of IBS manufacturers. All these will go towards enriching the Malaysian IBS ecosystem.

Indeed, there has never been a better time for Malaysian construction sector participants to begin implementing IBS solutions far and wide. With apparent cost savings, productivity, and general efficiency benefits, as well as to head the clarion call of the Construction Strategy Plan 4.0, participation in the IBS value chain should be a no-brainer, particularly for the industry’s small to medium-sized firms.

For more information on VDP, please visit www.cidbibsvdp.com.

Resource: HEIGHTS (Apr-Jun 2021)