FIDIC Newsletter March 2013

The ASPAC/FIDIC/TCDPAP conference took place in Bangkok 7-8 March 2013. Some 250 participants from 15 countries in the region shared their experiences and case studies on the challenges emerging from Climate Change events and other natural disasters. The increased incidence of floods, tsunamis, earthquakes and other disasters has prompted many authorities to review and develop more rigorous procedures for mitigation of risk areas and for dealing with disasters. Opportunities have been identified for consulting engineers to become more involved in risk assessment, as well as providing relevant authorities with expert advice on safety and restoration issues immediately post disaster and on longer term recovery plans, utilising a sustainable life cycle approach.

Reports from member countries highlighted the fact that most economies in the region still report strong growth and that significant investments in infrastructure are planned. Concerns were raised that there would be a shortage of skilled professionals in the very near future, providing significant opportunities and challenges for both multinational and local consulting firms. Reports and presentations are available through the FIDIC website

On 23 and 24 April 2013 respectively, the FIDIC President Geoff French, President Elect Pablo Bueno and Managing Director Enrico Vink will be visiting the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank.  The annual bi-lateral visits are seen as an ideal way to update key priorities for both sectors, as well as discuss common issues such as procurement policies and procedures; the impact of the financial crisis on funding development projects; dealing with climate change, corruption and sustainability.  FIDIC member associations have been invited to contribute to the agenda to ensure the broad ranging discussions also pick up on specific issues in the market place.

Final preparations are under way for this year’s GAMA/FIDIC African conference, taking place for the first time in Khartoum, Sudan, from 7-10 April 2013. 

This year’s conference will provide an opportunity for delegates to discuss the important role that African firms play and the contribution of consulting engineers to the development of infrastructure networks from the perspective of sustainability. The vastness of Sudan and the diversity of its physical and social environment, make it one of the best examples demonstrating the challenges for sustainable infrastructure development in Africa. Further details are available at GAMA2013 conference website .

Libya is pulling out all the stops in its effort to reconstruct the country after infrastructure projects were blocked during the Libyan revolution. The private sector, led by consulting engineers, is recommending FIDIC contracts as the relevant suite of products to support this effort at the nation level. On 24 April 2013, a second FIDIC conference will be held in Libya with local Libyan partner Tasyeer.  All details are available on the FIDIC website .

At its meeting in January 2013, the FIDIC Executive Committee agreed to:

1. Announce that three vacancies on the FIDIC Executive Committee will occur in 2013, with nominations sought by May 2013. The Executive Committee noted that, ideally, the industry would continue to have direct representation from all regions covered by the membership. It announced its nomination of Jae-Wan Lee from South Korea as the next FIDIC Vice President.
2. Strengthen its connections to the marketplace through a more coordinated approach using the established regional groupings in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Closer integration with these groups is envisaged, and FIDIC resources will be allocated to support regional activities.  A renewed membership drive will form part of this strategy, as well as Capacity Building initiatives, some of which are outlined in this newsletter.  Regional conference support and Young Professional programmes will also receive additional support.
3. Support the work programmes of its committees, which indicate the development of additional documents and guidelines for use by the industry in enhancing the services provided to clients.  Main activities will focus on business practice and innovation, integrity, sustainability, contract documents, capacity building and Young Professionals

FIDIC’s regional strategy is building up in Africa with the official opening of FIDIC office in Dar es Salaam in January 2013.  In support of the regional FIDIC group GAMA, the new FIDIC regional representative, Mr Samuel Mwamsamali, will develop FIDIC’s presence in the region starting April 2013 and coordinate FIDIC activities.

Those who have adopted the iPad as one of their favourite tools can now directly obtain the iPad version of all FIDIC electronic documents from the FIDIC bookshop.  Protected downloads in pdf are available at the same price of a hard copy.  These documents can then be carried on the iPad and browsed anywhere through an eBook app.  The latest information regarding the iPad Tablet version is available on the FIDIC website

The FIDIC Contracts Committee and its special advisors have prepared a special Guidance Note to Users of the 1999 Conditions of Contract.  This advice is designed to make explicit the intentions of FIDIC in relation to the enforcement of DAB decisions that are binding and not yet final.  This Guidance Memorandum will now be included in the 1999 Conditions of Contract for Construction.  Users are encouraged to download the document from the FIDIC website to benefit from this update.

The FIDIC Arabic translation task group has finalised the update of the Short Form of FIDIC Contract 1999 (the Green Book) and the Client/Consultant Model Services Agreement 2006 (the White book).  Special care has been applied to ensure it is compatible for international use. Available on our bookshop.

The Sustainable Development Committee is working on an Urban Edition of it Sustainability tools.  “Rethink cities” will propose ambitious support tools for both the private and public sector, when designing sustainable city infrastructure. This important industry tool is planned for delivery to participants at the FIDIC Centenary Conference in September 2013.

The ILO (International Labour Organisation), as a major supporter for the reconstruction of Timor-Leste, has decided to include the FIDIC short form of contract for the next 3 years as the preferred contract model to help rebuild the country. This follows on from the existing initiative in Indonesia where the Indonesian translation of the FIDIC short form has been successfully introduced as the reference model to support the national industry.

A record number of 83 candidates from 25 countries have registered for this year’s FIDIC Management Training Programme for Young Professionals. Some three scholarships were made available for candidates from developing countries. The course takes place online over 7 months, culminating in several final sessions at the FIDIC Centenary Conference in Barcelona. Focussing on management issues related to the consulting engineering business, the course aims to acquaint these future leaders with core aspects of running a consulting firm, combining theory with practical case studies, as well as regional nuances.

The 2013 Middle East Users’ conference took place for the first time in Dubai.  The event gathered 100 attendees and speakers from nearly twenty different countries. Presentations on recent updates to the FIDIC contracts were provided by FIDIC Committee members and experts. A panel discussion on how to combat corruption through transparent contract administration was well received by the audience. 

The next FIDIC Asia-Pacific Users Conference will take place in Kuala Lumpur on 11-12 June 2013.  This is an essential FIDIC event for Users of FIDIC contracts to better understand and successfully use the FIDIC suite of contracts and to effectively avoid or resolve disputes.  This conference will provide a special focus on regional usage of FIDIC contracts through an authoritative speaker line-up. All information on FIDIC website.

The FIDIC Young Professionals Forum Steering Committee (YPFSC) is launching a Pilot Webinar Program and wants to hear from readers!

The YPFSC is working with specialised and experienced speakers from all over the world to help develop a new YP FIDIC Webinar Program to enhance knowledge exchange and capacity building internationally. Readers are invited to take a moment and complete this survey to indicate which topics they would welcome online!

Participation in this YP initiative and brief survey is possible at onlne.

Registration for the FIDIC Centenary Conference is open! Due to the large number of people registering with the early bird registration, FIDIC has decided to extend the deadline to 15 May 2013. Go to conference website to register before 15 May 2013 to take advantage of the special offer.

Confirmed speakers are represented by cross section of industries.  Some companies include: KPMG, Ramboll, Stanley Consultants, Transparency International, UNEP, Engineers Without Boarders, and Union Internationale des Architectes.

FIDIC’s Centenary Awards are a celebration of FIDIC’s 100 years of existence.  FIDIC is keen to recognise landmark breakthroughs in engineering or consulting methods in the last 100 years which have made significant changes in the way time, resources and design are used to improve society’s Quality of Life.

A judging panel has been selected with a broad array of industry expertise and will have the support of a special guest judge. All projects that are deemed to be of particular merit will receive an award.