Disasters lead to increased business
THE recent spate of air disasters, flooding and building collapses in China is leading to increased business for engineering consultants bidding for projects on the mainland.
China, in its bid to keep pace with growing demands on its facilities while trying to modernise them to international standards, is seeking more international engineering aid.
Ron Rakusen, managing director for engineering consultants Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick, said China was experiencing fierce competition among international engineering firms scrambling for projects during the economic boom.
The firm, which was working on Chek Lap Kok and Macau's new airport, had other projects at Nanjing and Guangzhou airports, and was bidding for further work.
He said there were two main areas in which the mainland could be helped in terms of improving airport efficiency and safety - one being through international technological aid, and another in further involvement from the airlines.
''There is need for a modern standard of design in China and foreign firms can help them set standards duplicated from other international airports.'' Mr Rakusen, speaking at the presentation ceremony in which the firm received the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency ISO 9001 Award, said evidence from the past showed China also needed help in preventing floods and building collapse.
''A lot of flood problems in China are caused by unplanned development which may set up artificial dams or valleys in the wrong places and block or create water channels.''
