Cambodia’s first constructors’ association was launched yesterday with the intention of increasing cooperation between construction companies in the Kingdom and their regional counterparts.

The formation of the Cambodia Constructors’ Association sees the first collaboration between construction and design firms and enterprises registered with the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction in response to the sector’s growth, Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Im Chhun Lim said at the association’s first congress yesterday.

“It has been created to exchange experience and information on technical construction expertise between associations in other ASEAN countries and to develop the standards of the sector.”

Once established the affiliation is expected to apply for membership to the ASEAN Constructor Federation, he said.

“[Membership] will provide a forum for dialogue and foster closer cooperation among contractors in the ASEAN region.”

The newly elected president of the CCA, Canadia Bank Plc board chairman Pung Khiev Se, told the Post yesterday that he expects the creation of the association to boost the construction sector.

“We already know that the construction industry is one of the main pillars boosting economic growth, so the association should improve the sector and economy on the whole.”

In 2010, the industry contributed an estimated US$620 million to the economy, about 5.5 percent of the Kingdom’s GDP, while providing around 150,000 jobs, he added.

Some industry insiders have welcomed the establishment of the construction association, citing bad practice in the sector as an issue.

“Many buildings in Cambodia have been built to a low standard, due to a lack of respect for the profession from architects and engineers,” Cambodia Building and Wood Workers Trade Union President Sok Sovandeith said yesterday.

He added that he expects the constructors association to closely monitor firms and instill a stronger code of ethics.

“This federation provides customers with protection from malpractice, while improving the quality of employers in the sector.”

The Kingdom currently contains 1,074 construction and design companies, comprising 847 foreign firms, according to a Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction report.