Emphasis is placed on illuminating the benefits to be derived by the successful implementation of national electronic commerce initiatives. What began as a trade facilitation initiative has now gained tremendous momentum and is fast laying the foundation for the establishment of a well-structured, modern and efficient electronic commerce infrastructure for Malaysia. This will in turn pave the way for the realization of a National Information Superhighway where Malaysians are able to enjoy the benefit of accessing information and communication with each other literally with the click of a few buttons. This will position Malaysia in the world map among developed nations and enhance the nation's competitive capacity to stay abreast of intense competition. The quantity surveying profession and the construction industry are in a constant state of change.
Major opportunities exist for the quantity surveyors.
The quantity surveyor should sensitive to what should be happening in the industry and how it applies to quantity surveying profession. The emergence of expert systems and CAD is a major development in this area. Expert systems in areas of practice such as procurement advice and perhaps even claims and legal advice will be developed in the near future. The growing use of CAD had a serious potential impact on the role of the quantity surveyor, particularly in the area of measurement and initial cost advice. The profession should be encouraged and educated to think laterally about computer and how they assist the profession to play a positive role in the future of industry.