The construction industry must prepare to dominate the domestic market so as to utilise the foreign direct investment (FDI) that was likely to continue to flow into Viet Nam this year, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said on Jan 16.

The effort would require the provision of sufficient personnel to raise the industry’s competitiveness, he said.

The deputy prime minister, who was speaking at a conference to review the Ministry of Construction’s implementation of last year’s tasks and preview this year’s plans, warned that the industry’s biggest failure – suspension of construction projects – would also have to end.

“Projects that are completed on time are very rare,” he said.

This was partly due to duplication that would have to be overcome through the renovation of the relevant legal documents and State management.

The deputy prime minister asked the ministry to complete major construction projects as quickly as possible while ensuring the quality of the work.

It should also tap its inner strengths to make machines and equipment to avoid an excess of imports.

Construction Minister Nguyen Hong Quan told the meeting that building quality was much improved, especially for major projects.

The construction industry aims to match regional standards this year, including standards for materials, architecture, planning, urban development and housing.

The ministry has also devised a scries of measures to meet its aims. These range from renewing legal documents and executing comprehensive plans to implementing the housing development programme until 2020, when dwelling space is expected to total 12.5sq.m for each person.

Ministry statistics show the construction industry earned VND105.6 trillion (US$6 billion) last year, an increase of 18.5 percent over 2007.

It also invested in projects ranging from the building of hydro-electricity plants to residential houses and urban precincts. (VNS)