FIDIC MEMBER ASSOCIATIONSIN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION (ASPAC)
Issue : 0001

NEWSLETTER

March 2013

Introduction
For every occasion there has to be a beginning and we are happy to set into motion a welcome
move – a News Letter for ASPAC, the FIDIC Member Associations in the Asia-Pacific Region forimproving networking among the Member Countries.

With the development activities steadily on the rise in this Region, the Consultancy fraternity hasorganized itself to play greater role in this growth scenario. FIDIC has now a wider presence inthe Region and more countries are taking active interest in this global platform for consultancy
engineering profession. The newly formed EC of ASPAC has put on priority

the task ofimproving communication between Member Associations of the Region and this News Letter is ababy step towards same.

Like every beginning, side by side with the enthusiastic moves forward,

there are initialproblems. In our case, it has been the initial hesitation of various Member Associations to comeforward with English Translation of their News Letter and filing reports on their activities.
However, positive participation has started - with some of the active countries viz. China, India,Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Sri Lanka – coming forward with their inputs.
It is hoped that we shall make rapid progress in developing this newsletter into a vibrant andeffective platform for interaction between Member Associations and more importantly between
individual professionals of the Region, for developing a bond that can encourage participatory
growth with free exchange of knowledge and experience. With time, this News Letter can becomplemented with a website, where Members will be able to post news and records ofachievements in the professional field. They would also be able to seek collaboration from fellow
professionals across borders and be able to benefit from collective knowledge. Challenges andproblems can always be better resolved with past experience of fellow professionals.

We shall look forward to suggestions/advice and comments on this initial effort to be able toimprove future issues, which we intend to bring out at intervals of three months.
Wish you all happy reading of this maiden issue.

Amitabha Ghoshal

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FIDIC MEMBER ASSOCIATIONSIN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION (ASPAC)
Issue : 0001

NEWSLETTERMarch 2013

WHAT IS ASPAC
ASPAC Member Associations (21)Australia
Consult Australia
Azerbaijan

National Engineering Consultancy Society of Azerbaijan

Bangladesh

Bangladesh Association of Consulting Engineers

China

China National Association of Engineering Consultants

China, Hong Kong Association of Consulting Engineers of Hong Kong, China
China, Taipei

Chinese Association of Engineering Consultants, Taipei, China

India

Consulting Engineers Association of India

Indonesia

National Association of Indonesian Engineering Consultants

Iran

Iranian Society of Consulting Engineers

Japan

Association of Japanese Consulting Engineers

Korea

Korea Engineering and Consulting AssociationMalaysia

Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia

Nepal

Society of Consulting Architectural and Engineering Firms, Nepal

New Zealand Association of Consulting Engineers New ZealandPakistan
Association of Consulting Engineers Pakistan
Philippines

Council of Engineering Consultants of the Philippines

Singapore

Association of Consulting Engineers Singapore

Sri Lanka

Association of Consulting Engineers, Sri Lanka

ThailandConsulting Engineers Association of Thailand (CEAT)

Uzbekistan
VietnamUzbek Association of Consulting Engineers
Vietnam Engineering Consultant Association

ASPAC Executive Committee Members (7)Hoig Kang (Korea) – Chairman
Liu Luobing (China) – Vice Chairman
Chien Chung Li (China Taipei)
Amitabha Ghoshal (India)
Irawan Koesoemo (Indonesia)
Konomu Uchimura (Japan)
Mohd Adnan Mohd Nor (Malaysia)

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FIDIC MEMBER ASSOCIATIONSIN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION (ASPAC)
Issue : 0001

NEWSLETTER

March 2013

BRIEF REPORT ON TCDPAP & FIDIC / ASPAC CONFERENCE
Held at Bangkok on 7-8 March 2013
The two day conference was organized by The Consulting Engineer Association of Thailand,with the theme “Climate Change Challenge – Sustainable Infrastructure Development,
Disaster Prevention & Mitigation”, in association with TCDPAP & FIDIC / ASPAC, who areorganizing Partners. The Conference spread over two days, included Country Reportpresentation from 11 ASPAC countries on the first day, after completion of the InauguralSession where senior officials from all the organizations participated. The theme address on
Sustainable Infrastructure Development was delivered by Mr Geoff French, President of
FIDIC and Key Note address on “Climate Change Challenge” was delivered by Mr
Payungsak Chartsutipol, Chairman FTI.
On the second day, 12 interesting papers, covering different aspects of the theme of theConference, were presented by respective authors. A Panel discussion on “DisasterPrevention & Mitigation” was held. The conference was extremely well organized and widely
participated by delegates from Member Countries and succeeded in creating cohesion
between all the delegates.
FIDIC/ASPAC Executive Council met, where delegates from Member Countries were also
invited to be present as observers. Following major issues emerged.
1.

The Chairman of ASPAC, Mr Hoig Kang, urged the Member Countries to comeforward and participate effectively for making ASPAC an effective forum for theconsultancy fraternity of the region to network and evolve collective solutions for theproblems faced by profession.

2.

A Newsletter that put together information from MA’s was released and waswelcomed as a Happy Beginning of an activity that is high in demand.

3.

It was desired and hoped that all Member Associations will send report for publicationin the forthcoming issues of the News Letter well in time, so that the awareness ofthe status of consultancy profession in the region can be effectively created.

4.

The next issue of the News Letter will come out in June 2013, this being a quarterly
publication and all Member Association were urged to send their input by 31st May
2013.

5.

ASPAC YPF will be revived and made an effective tool for education, training andnetworking of consultants. Mr Arash Emambaksh from Iran, voluntarily undertook theresponsibility for steering same.

6.

The task for inducting new Member Associations from ASPAC Region has been
given priority. Positive results are expected soon, may be prior to FIDIC centenary
conference at Barcelona .

7.

It was decided that all the three Working Committees viz. Information, Membershipand Education, will include members from ASPAC countries, who have norepresentative in EC, for better results and greater participation.

8.

ASPAC EC concluded with the firm resolve to make FIDIC/ASPAC a vibrantproactive organization for serving members of the region.
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FIDIC MEMBER ASSOCIATIONSIN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION (ASPAC)
Issue : 0001

NEWSLETTER

March 2013

STATUS OF NEWS DISSEMINATION FROM SOME MEMBER COUNTRIES

CHINA
Publication
China National Association of Engineering Consultants (CNAEC),

FIDIC Member

Association from China, publishes a magazine titled “Chinese Consulting Engineers” everymonth. Unfortunately for others same is published in Chinese Language and no English
copy has been yet brought out. We have in possession a list of articles, from their 2nd Issueof 2013, which are on extremely diversified topics and provide insight for members of theconsulting fraternity. The list is attached as ANNEXURE-1. It would be very interesting toASPAC members, if English translations of atleast a few selected articles are brought out byCNAEC.
Other NewsCNAEC celebrated its 20th year Anniversary on 25th December 2012. On this special
occasion CNAEC has issued a fine-printed volume of Philatelic Commemoration,
which demonstrates some of the best projects done by their member firms.

CNAEC had commissioned industry experts to select the nominees for the FIDIC
Centenary Award. After carefully reviewing and examining the application materials
from member firms, 10 major building projects, 45 major construction projects andnumerous outstanding consulting engineering firms and engineers were chosen andnominated to FIDIC in response to their request.

INDIA
Publication
Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI), FIDIC Member Association from India,
brings out a newsletter in English at regular intervals and the January newsletter is attachedas ANNEXURE-2. CEAI also brings our a Quarterly Newsletter titled“View Point:Consulting Engineer”, which includes interesting articles covering a broad spectrum ofinterest for the consulting professionals. List of contents of the latest issue is included as
ANNEXURE-3 for readers.

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FIDIC MEMBER ASSOCIATIONSIN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION (ASPAC)
Issue : 0001

NEWSLETTER

March 2013

Other News
CEAI has laid out a road map for 2013 during the recent meeting of newly formed Governing
Council. The activities to be taken up are listed as hereunder:(i)Monthly e-Newsletter(ii)

Quarterly Newsletter, “View Point: Consulting Engineer”,(iii)

CEAI web site updation,(iv)

National seminars(v)

International seminars(vi)

Technical workshops(vii) Workshops and seminars on FIDIC Conditions of Contract specially for ADB, WB,JICA, PSU’s as well as for the general professional engineers, and Training of fresh
graduates (started in 2012).
One of the interesting areas of work taken up by CEAI is training of fresh engineering
graduates on the requirements of consulting profession and in helping them to be able todevelop skills that form core of the consulting tasks. The new Council has proposed to
conduct such trainings in various centers across the country for the benefit of freshengineering graduates, who come out from the college without much practical knowledge ofthe profession.

JAPANPublication
Association of Japanese Consulting Engineers (AJCE), FIDIC Member Association fromJapan, publishes every April a newsletter that is circulated to all its own members, FIDIC
Member Associations, Clients and related organizations, Universities, Libraries, etc. Last
year’s Newsletter gives a very interesting insight on the issues that affected the Consulting
Engineering profession in the country. Moreover, the newsletter includes a report on thegreat East Japan disaster of 2011. A list of the contents of this publication is included as
ANNEXURE-4.

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FIDIC MEMBER ASSOCIATIONSIN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION (ASPAC)
Issue : 0001

NEWSLETTER

March 2013

Other activities

AJCE brings out Quarterly Reports that lists the activities like seminar, conference, training
programme, JICA Project and forthcoming events and programmes. A copy of the FirstQuarterly Report of 2013 is included as ANNEXURE-5.

KOREA
Korea Engineering & Consulting Association (KENCA), FIDIC Member Association from
Korea, held an International Engineering Business Forum 2013 at Grand Intercontinental
Hotel from 29 – 31 January 2013, together with the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, whichadministers and provides supports for Korea’s engineering industry, to promote thedevelopment of global engineering industry and collaborative interchanges.

At this forum, along with fifteen VIPs from twelve major developing countries including Africa
and South East Asia, which are a new growth axis in the world economy, about 150 people
from KENCA and key industry experts gathered together. With their active participation, theforum was a great success.

Following this international forum (30th), Business Meeting (31st) was organized for more indepth discussions between the invited countries and Korea's key engineering companies. Awelcome dinner (29th) was held to promote interchanges between the organizers andparticipants. A farewell dinner (31st) was hosted to thank all participants for their efforts tomake the international forum successful.
In his opening speech, Moon Hun-il, Chairman of KENCA as the host of this event,
expressed the meaning and value of this international forum. "The engineering industry is afuture-oriented industry that can overcome the depletion and limit of resources and solve theproblem of imbalance faced by the world," he said. The chairman also sought mutual
development through interchanges between the invited VIPs from participating countries andindustry experts in Korea.

At the presentation session, the invited guests from 12 countries including Han Soe, Deputy
Bureau Chief of Myanmar's Public Works Authority shared information on the relatedorganizations in their countries, their major roles and activities, and their project plans. TheyPage 6 of 8

FIDIC MEMBER ASSOCIATIONSIN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION (ASPAC)
Issue : 0001

NEWSLETTER

March 2013

requested Korea's companies with their high technological power to take part actively in theirprojects.

Following this forum, which was a follow-up event of the FIDIC 2012 Seoul Conference, theKENCA plans to organize the International Engineering Business Forum 2013” this coming
October to continue discussions on the growth and development of the world engineering
industry.

No information is yet available on the Publication issued by KENCA.

MALAYSIA
Publication
Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM), FIDIC Member Association fromMalaysia, brings out a Journal every quarter and the latest issue came out in January 2013.
The journal contains news compiled from the National Office and the Branch Offices inSabah and Sarawak. It provides authoritative and current information on issues anddevelopment in the profession and practice of engineering in Malaysia. It regularly focuseson the construction industry, material, equipment and services therein and government
regulations impinging on the industry. A list of contents of the issue is attached as
ANNEXURE-6.

The latest issue has an interesting article by an international technical reporter – Juhani
VIROLA, Eur Ing-FEANI, on The Bayonne Bridge in New York that Celebrated 80thAnniversary.
Other NewsThe ACEM is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2013 and has circulated a short news in theirNews Letter. The same is reproduced as ANNEXURE-7 as per request from ACEM.

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FIDIC MEMBER ASSOCIATIONSIN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION (ASPAC)
Issue : 0001

NEWSLETTER

March 2013

SRI LANKA
Association of Consulting Engineers Sri Lanka (ACESL), is the vibrant FIDIC Member
Association of Sri Lanka and brings out newsletter from time to time. The latest newsletter
reported on the Council Meetings and activities of the Association and the International
Conference held in 2012 with Technical Consultancy Development Programme for Asia &Pacific (TDCPAP) and FIDIC at Colombo. The Newsletter also reported on Technical Visits
made by ACESL delegation to different sites in Thailand. The President of ACESL Mr. Malith
Mendis has issued a message in January 2013, which is included as ANNEXURE-8.

Conclusion

The above countries have responded so far to the invitation extended for contributions to theASPAC News Letter. It is hoped that in future there will be inputs from other FIDIC Member
Associations from ASPAC Region and the News Letter will become a truly representative
publication that will be cherished by the readers from the region as also FIDIC Community atlarge.

Page 8 of 8ANNEXURE-7

The Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM) celebrates its 50th Anniversary
this year 2013.

Formed in 1963, ACEM has made a difference in the business and professional
development of the Engineering Consultancy Services industry in Malaysia. ACEM was oneof the leading stakeholders in the promulgation of the Engineers Registration Act that led to
the formation of the Board of Engineers Malaysia.
Over the 50 years ACEM’s contribution to the industry includes efforts for improved and fair
remunerations for the engineering consultancy services; refining rules, regulations andprocedures to improve the service delivery system, led in the development of tools andprocesses for higher professional service levels.

ACEM is invited and consulted to provide advisory services by various major organisationsin the engineering and construction industry such as the Board of Engineers Malaysia, theConstruction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB), the Standards and Industrial
Research organisation- SIRIM Bhd. as well as to several Ministries, Departments andAgencies of the Government of Malaysia.
Contact: Secretariat Office: sec@acem.com.my (Ms P.Y. Wong) Visit: www.acem.com.my