This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on July 4, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: The International Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition 2019 (Archidex 2019), which started yesterday, is expected to record RM1 billion in business transactions, slightly higher than last year’s.

Archidex 2019 will be supported by 600 exhibitors from over 20 countries taking up 1,400 exhibition stands, as well as over 35,000 visitors from 70 countries, said Datuk Vincent Lim, president of C.I.S Network Sdn Bhd, a co-organiser of the event.

“The exhibition has taken up all 10 halls of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre — a 20% increase of exhibition space from that of last year,” Lim said in his opening speech.

He said the event, returning in its 20th year, is touted as the global gateway to Southeast Asia and the region’s leading architecture business event, having served over 450,000 visitors and 6,500 local and international exhibitors, occupying 272,000 sq m of exhibit space.

“To date, the event has recorded close to RM10 billion in business transactions,” he added.

The four-day Archidex 2019 — jointly organised by C.I.S and the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) — explores the latest industry trends and innovations.

Works Minister Baru Bian, officiating at the event, encouraged the architectural industry to adopt the latest Industry 4.0 technologies to heighten the Malaysian economy and also remain relevant.

“With advances in the industry, it is imperative for our architectural industry players to upgrade their knowledge and skills to remain competitive as individuals, in turn enabling Malaysia to remain competitive on the world stage,” he said.