THE dearth of funds has been variously fingered as the major problem besetting the construction industry. The plethora of uncompleted and abandoned projects that dot the nation's landscape has often been traced to this factor. Indigenous construction companies have been worst hit, hence, many of them have folded up, giving way to multinational construction companies who are often backed financially by their home governments.

Both the Federal and state governments have often hinged their preference for expatriate construction companies on the fact that their indigenous counterparts lack the equipment to execute complex jobs. But how can they effectively compete with these offshore funded companies when borrowing from commercial banks is usually at cut-throat interest rates. Built environment professionals who have been badly affected by this scenario have not rested on their oars in a bid to float a specialized bank that would be sympathetic to the cause of construction industry operators.

Local manufacturer receives county revolving loan

INDIANA--What is now known as KH Controls Inc., a Blairsville-based designer and manufacturer of electronic products for the underground coal mining industry, modestly began 13 years ago in the basement of company president Kevin Huczko.

Now, with the help of a $100,000 term loan from the Indiana County Revolving Loan Fund to KH Development LLC., Huczko is looking forward to a new period of growth for the company. The Indiana County Commissioners approved the loan at their regular Wednesday meeting.

With the loan, KH Controls expects to retain 49 full-time jobs and create five more over the next three years.

Huczko explained the company previously had problems finding new employees due to limited qualifications and space restrictions at their current location, including inadequate parking facilities.

Roadmap to the Next Era of Personal Computing, Gartner

A major wave of technological advancement will cause the most fundamental changes to PC architectures for 20 years, according to Gartner Inc. Because of this, decisions made about the client platform today will influence operations well into the next decade and organisations need to plan accordingly. Gartner said that the technological progress is being driven by the shift towards a more user-centric environment as users increasingly demand more consumer-like usage models that leverage technologies they already use on a day-to-day basis.

After a lengthy period of stability, significant changes in hardware, operating system and connectivity options will mean that companies need to focus on technical details to a degree that has not been necessary since the late 1990s.

Companies are ready for mission to the Gulf

The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Industries of the State of Santa Catarina are taking companies in the construction sector to seek new business opportunities in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Stone Control, which sells marbles and granites, for example, wants long-term partnerships.

Marina Sarruf*

With the objective of learning about the construction market and seeking new business in the region, the two organizations are going to take the businessmen to Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Making the Most of Home-Field Advantage

It's not your common or garden peace dividend. But the name Jollibee resonates so strongly in the Philippines that when President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her annual address to the nation applauded the army's success in tackling Muslim insurgents, she described how the Philippines' home-grown fast-food chain has now opened a store in the heart of the rebels' old stomping grounds.

The Jollibee outlet on Basilan island, the home of the Abu Sayyaf militant group in the deep south of the country, is Jollibee Foods' 500th store. Like all the rest, it offers slightly sweetened spaghetti topped with sliced hot-dogs, ...