President Award for Innovation in the Building & Construction sector
OVER the last decade we have seen the steady and progressive growth of the Building and Construction sector. This growth has also seen the expansion of companies within the sector.

His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo has, on numerous occasions, called for more industry emphasis on research and development.

It is in this context that the Ministry of Housing and Water wishes to launch the ‘President Award for Innovation in the Building and Construction sector’.

Minister Irfaan Ali said this should serve as a motivation for companies and individuals to budget resources and place more emphasis on research and development as part of their strategic vision in the building and construction sector.

This award, he said, is scheduled to be delivered at the opening ceremony of Building Expo 2011.

Entries for this award must demonstrate innovative design material or construction related research.

Minister Ali said the entries must be able to be viable commercially.

Specifically, he said nominees will be evaluated based on:
**     The product’s ability to improve productivity and efficiency
**     The extent to which the product address issues of energy, reusability and
sustainability
**     Environmental features of the product inclusive of savings from wastage, pollution and use of primary product
**     Cost effectiveness and savings for the consumer
**      Linkages and opportunities product create within and outside the building and construction industry
**     Level of originality, creativity and sustainability
**     Nature and complexity of innovation versus problem addressed
**    Relevance of the technology or the innovation to the building and
construction sector, and
**     Social, political and economic benefits to society

Ali said the award is to stimulate the construction and building sector to improve efficiency, competitiveness and contributing positively to the advancement of society whilst providing consumers with more cost effective, reliable and sustainable products and benefits.

It would also stimulate academic industry, individuals and the private sector, to advance the sector forward, Minister Ali told the Chronicle via telephone.