CIC Global Construction Digitalisation Forum & Exhibition 2024 successfully concludes attracting over 10,000 visits expanding the realm of smart construction

(30 October 2024, Hong Kong) Co-organised by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the Development Bureau (DEVB), the CIC Global Construction Digitalisation Forum and Exhibition 2024 (GCDFE) successfully concluded today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Over 10,000 physical and online visits were recorded at the 2-day event, with leaders and professionals gathered to explore the potential of construction digitalisation, laying the groundwork for digital transformation in the industry.

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The 2-day mega event gathered over 30 industry experts from around the world to share their valuable insights in the forums and have received overwhelming response from the industry. Following the success of the first day, the second day of the event opened with the Forum on Future Construction, which centred around the themes of the development potentials of technologies like the Building Information Modelling (BIM) and their practical applications.

Ms. Winnie HO, Secretary for Housing, Housing Bureau, was invited as the Guest of Honour, and she said in her opening remarks, “I’ve been dreaming for more advanced construction sites in Hong Kong, utilising more technologies since I joined the government, or even since I started my career as an architect. The speed that it has been advancing is really out of my expectation. While we have a large quantity of building to build, we need to build faster, build better, and at the same time, we need to build cheaper. This is another big challenge to the construction industry in Hong Kong.” Therefore, she stressed that better use of Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), Multi-trade integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP), BIM and digitalisation of the whole construction life cycle is the key to buildability and the well-being of our workers.

The Forum on Smart Built Asset was held in the afternoon, and it also featured the introduction on the “CIC Construction Innovation Award 2025” as well as the “CIC Construction Innovation Expo 2025”. The award presentation ceremony of the “CIC Construction Digitalisation Award 2024” was held during GCDFE, to recognise outstanding local projects and local organisations for their contribution in the promotion and adoption of digitalisation tools and workflows. Ir Albert CHENG, Executive Director of the CIC, said, “The award highlights the remarkable achievements of digitalisation leaders who are setting new benchmarks in our field. Their knowledge and experience will be shared with the industry through post-award seminars and workshops, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning.”

Ir Joseph LO, Head of Project Strategy and Governance Office of the Development Bureau said in his speech, “Digital and AI technologies are the drivers and catalysts for industry transformation and central elements in the next era of digitalisation, enabling greater productivity and fostering the development of ‘new quality productive forces’. The journey towards construction digitalisation in Hong Kong is not one we can undertake alone. The industry should embark on this innovation journey and join hands to drive construction digitalisation together.”

To conclude the GCDFE, Prof. Jack CHENG, Chairperson of the Organising Committee of GCDFE, said, “The transformative power of technology in this traditionally labour-intensive field has exceeded all expectations. Reflecting on the wealth of knowledge and ideas shared during our forum, I am convinced that our growth has surpassed imagination, embodying the spirit of vibrant competition and innovation, as the Chinese saying goes, ‘let the flowers blossom and the birds contend in singing’.”

The forums are valuable in sharing knowledge while the themed exhibition has helped the industry in exploring business opportunities. The exhibition was under four themes, including “Smart Site Safety System (4S)”, “Digitalisation Platform”, “Robotics”, and “Research and Innovation”, with more than 40 exhibitors participating in to showcase advanced technologies and innovative solutions such as Digital Twin and Layout Robot. A Main Stage and Business Matching Area were also set up to facilitate the exchanges of knowledge and views between the exhibitors and the visitors.

Digitalisation is crucial to the development of the construction industry, the CIC will shoulder the responsibility to foster digital transformation within the industry. Continue our success in GCDFE, we will provide support to the industry by means of orgainising mega industry-wide events, training courses, webinars and workshops, etc., to equip the industry to embrace the splendid future of digitalisation.

For more information about GCDFE 2024, please visit events.cic.hk/gcdfe.