Government sets aside $19m for SMEs' building software adoption

They can receive up to 70% funding for pre-approved solutions.

The government is setting aside $19m to fund small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt digital solutions that can complement basic Building Information Modelling (BIM) software, the Minister of State in National Development and Manpower Zaqy Mohamad said in the Committee of Supply Debate.

SMEs will be guided to assess their level of digital readiness and to identify digital solutions that can benefit their businesses, such as site management platforms for planning and monitoring construction activities and facilities management software for operations and maintenance.

They will also be able to receive up to 70% funding for pre-approved solutions.

BIM technology is made for architects and engineers to design and build in a virtual setting, which aims to improve the accuracy of construction plans and reduce abortive works downstream.

“[The Integrated Digital Delivery approach] takes this further, by leveraging technology to facilitate better collaboration amongst project parties across the building life-cycle, to coordinate production and supply chains, to build more efficiently, to improve building quality, and to optimise operations and maintenance,” Mohamad added.