SINGAPORE'S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AFTER THE SAND BAN

Abstract

The Indonesian ban on the export of land sand resulted in Singapore’s local construction industry suffering from a shortage of sand necessary to sustain and complete the large volume of construction it had. This shortage of sand lead to an increase in the price of sand as supply decreased rapidly while demand remained the same. This situation has come to be known as the sand crisis. From survey results, 55.9% of respondents view the sand crisis as one that can financially cripple contractors. With this occurrence, the local construction industry has had to adjust itself. The demand and outlook on the future of sand is positive. With 56.7% of survey respondent stating that sand is an essential part of construction, sand will continue to be an integral part of the local construction industry. However, the local construction industry will have to proceed with a new direction of sustainable construction. This is propelled by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). Having been through the sand crisis, the local construction industry is careful to avoid similar situations in the future and sustainable construction is seen as a way to circumvent it.