From Sustainability to Competitiveness: A Strategic Vision for Contracting Companies in Islamic Countries (2/4)

✍️ By Dr. Eng. Malik Ali Dongola

📝 In the first article, we discussed the importance of sustainable construction for developing and Islamic countries, and the opportunities and challenges it brings to the construction sector. However, moving from talking about sustainability to implementing it requires a more ambitious step, which is to develop a strategic vision to help contracting companies in the member states of the Federation of Contractors in Islamic Countries prepare for the transformations that the construction sector is witnessing globally and regionally.

🌍 The Federation, which includes contracting companies and institutions from about 32 countries, represents a vast economic and geographical area, with varying levels of development, experiences, resources, and capabilities. This diversity, if well invested, can turn from a disparity in capabilities into a source of strength and integration.

📌 First: Leveraging Regional Islamic Organizations

There are many regional organizations such as OIC, Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Contractors in Islamic Countries, Arab Contractors Federation, and African Contractors Federation that can serve as central platforms for coordinating efforts.

💰 Second: The Role of Islamic, Arab, and African Financial Institutions

Securing financing is a major challenge. The Islamic world has a large system of institutions such as Islamic Development Bank Group, Saudi Fund for Development, Abu Dhabi Fund, Kuwait Fund, and Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa. Their role should be a strategic partner, not just a lender.

🗺️ Third: Building a Capability Map for the Contracting Sector

Creating an integrated database of contracting companies including specializations, classifications, and technical capabilities to know where expertise exists and where opportunity exists.

💻 Fourth: Creating a Platform for Projects and Investment Opportunities

Developing a unified digital platform for opportunities, tenders, and partnership opportunities to help SMEs access early information.

🤝 Fifth: Encouraging Alliances Between Companies of Member States

Encouraging Joint Ventures and temporary consortiums to compete for major infrastructure projects collectively.

🏗️ Sixth: Establishing a Unified Framework for Sustainable Construction

Developing a guiding framework for sustainable construction suitable for economic, climatic, and social conditions, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and emission reduction.

👷 Seventh: Investing in Human Capital

Launching a joint training academy for BIM, Artificial Intelligence, project management, and safety, and exchanging experts between member states.

🤖 Eighth: Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence

Adopting digital transformation programs with technologies such as Digital Twins, Drones, IoT, and Data Analysis, especially for SMEs.

🏢 Ninth: Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Helping SMEs access financing, technology, and markets and integrating them into supply chains.

🧱 Tenth: Localization of Building Materials Industry

Enhancing cooperation in producing low-emission cement, recycled materials, and prefabricated technologies to develop an interconnected supply chain.

🏦 Eleventh: Developing Financing and Guarantee Tools

Opening institutional dialogue with banks to develop financing tools, green financing, and sukuk.

📊 Twelfth: Establishing an Information and Risk Center

Establishing an observatory that issues periodic reports on opportunities, risks, and regulatory changes.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Thirteenth: Activating the Role of Local Communities

Involving local communities as the first beneficiary and actual partner to ensure sustainability.

🚀 Proposed Roadmap:

Phase One: Foundation and Information Linking

Phase Two: Building Partnerships

Phase Three: Integration and International Competition - From a federation of contractors to a platform for economic integration.

🎯 What We Must Do

Move from cooperation between contractors to integration between contracting markets, and from implementing projects to participating in shaping the future of development, through multi-party partnerships, diversified financing, and transparent governance.