In April 2009, the government of Singapore released the flash estimates for the first quarter of 2009 and promptly revised its full-year growth forecast of the GDP to range from -6% to -9%. The first quarter flash estimates indicated that the construction sector has grown by 25.6% whilst manufacturing was down 29%.
    Therefore, to provide stimulus to the economy, the government of Singapore had earlier announced that it is projecting to commit S$18 to $20 billion for fiscal year 2009 and S$15 to $17 billion for the following two years. This is aimed at sustaining the construction industry as it has achieved S$34.6 billion (private funded projects S$20.1 billion and government projects S$14.5 billion) of contracts awarded for year 2008. The increase is to make up for the expected reduction in the private funded projects.
    Following the Nicoll Highway incident and the findings of the Commission of Inquiry in June 2006, the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA) wanted to impose a five year ban to debar Nishimatsu from participating in all government procured contracts. Following an appeal, BCA agreed to backdate the effective date of the debarment to the date of the incident instead of 2006. The debarment period ended on April 19, 2009.
    Works on the Land Transport Authority (LTA)’s Contract 823 and 828 are progressing well and are in the stage of carrying out the architectural works at the five stations. The architectural works at the Stadium Station are nearing completion. There are a total of five stations in these two contracts. The LTA’s appointed systemwide contractor has commenced laying of the trackworks in the completed tunnels. The contract completion dates of both contracts are in November 2009.
    The Singapore Branch Office commenced operations in 1980 and by 1984 obtained its first contract from Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (now renamed Land Transport Authority [LTA] with extended responsibilities). In the same year, a partnership was also developed with a leading local contractor, Lum Chang Building Contractors Pte. Ltd. (LCBC), a firm wholly owned by a publicly listed company, Lum Chang Holdings Ltd. Together with LCBC or on its own, Nishimatsu has completed many landmarks, which are part of the ever-changing skyline of Singapore. Some of these are the 66-storey commercial building UOB Plaza 1; Bugis Junction, a mixed development comprising hotel (Intercontinental) office and retail buildings; National Library and residential apartments Valley Park, The Emerald, Compass Heights, Tangerine and Imperial. Projects completed for LTA’s mass rapid transit infrastructure are stations at Lavender, Bugis, City Hall including the tunnels connecting them, Clarke Quay station including the tunnels running below the Singapore River, the tunnels that are running under the runway of the Singapore Changi Airport and the Depot at Bishan.
    LTA has committed S$50 billion for projects to be completed by year 2020. The next tenders expected to be called in early 2010 are for the Downtown Line 3 (15 stations and covering 19km, to be completed in 2016), Eastern Region Line (12 stations and covering 21km, to be completed in 2020) and Thomson Line (18 stations and covering 27km, to be completed in 2018).
    The National Art Gallery and the Development of Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert Hall are some of the building contracts that the government is committed to proceeding with. Tenders are expected to be called in year 2010.
    Nishimatsu intends to participate in these forthcoming projects with LCBC whilst some of which would be on its own. The three decades of experience gained, coupled with experienced staff, some of whom have worked on several of the competed projects, would put it in good stead for government as well as private funded projects.