Moving the needle forwards

As we move rapidly into 2023, there are two themes that seem set to define the construction industry’s year ahead – Digitalisation and Sustainability. To me, the two are interlinked, as successfully implementing one, means better performance in the other. You cannot be a truly sustainable construction company in 2023, if you are not digitally empowered. Conversely, part of any organisation’s digital transformation journey is adopting sustainable processes and procedures.

We’re seeing this happen more often across the sector as companies realise that they need to do both, if they are to make a contribution to regional ambitions on both fronts. With COP 28 happening in the UAE, in November this year, I suspect that the conversation that is happening in the background, will soon shift to being shouted from the rooftops.

Looking at our cover story this month, as well as our other interviews, it’s plain to see that the industry has already been thinking about this and looking at how they can move the needle forward on both sides.

This February, we’ll have the opportunity to how seriously the industry is taking this shift towards digitalisation with the entries for the ME Digital Construction Awards – the deadline for which is February 15, 2023, ahead of the awards themselves on March 15. I’m excited to see who and what will be submitted, as I think these awards are a unique opportunity for the industry to showcase their skills and capabilities in a field that is constantly developing and moving into different, unexpected directions. I hope I’ll be pleasantly surprised! Following the awards, we’ll be ramping up preparations for the 2nd edition of the Energy and Sustainability Summit, which will be held in May. Launching last year’s event was an eye-opening experience, as I wasn’t quite sure what to expect – however the response was fantastic, with some in-depth and informative conversations taking place before, during, and long after the summit itself. I’m certain that this year will surpass the high bar set, and I’m looking forward to down to work on it. Do reach out and let me know if you’re interested in speaking at it.

Till then, I hope you’ve all had a productive and successful start to the year!

Gavin Davids HEAD OF EDITORIAL & CONTENT