Singapore, Southeast Asia ground zero of new engineering boom

Foreign investment trusts are flocking to the region, focusing on data centres.

“There will be huge growth in data centres as the market matures. In the region as a whole the markets are all at different stages but there is an increasing understanding of just how vital a role mission critical engineering plays in making complex projects succeed," said Mark Simpson, Regional Director of global engineering consultant hurleypalmerflatt, which has opened a new base in Singapore.

“We’re seeing increased activity from foreign investment trusts in the data centre market in Asia. It’s the second wave of interest in electronic engineering following the dot com boom of a decade ago. And not just in data centres – foreign money is coming into the region in all kinds of sectors with western companies continuing to move work overseas," he added.

Simpson added that there is huge potential in the sector due to the region’s increasing reliance on digital technology and the level of investment being made by overseas companies.