The 16th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF), co-hosted by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and the China International Contractors Association (CHINCA), was held from 10 to 12 June at The Venetian Macao Cotai Expo. The forum brought together global leaders to explore strategies for advancing international infrastructure collaboration.
Global built environment consultancy Arup hosted a dedicated session titled ‘Unlocking opportunities in global infrastructure collaboration through total engineering’. The forum focused on integrated approaches to engineering design and project management, particularly in the context of complex, large-scale international projects.
Keynote speakers included Matt Crossman, Deputy HMTC, Department for Business and Trade at the British Embassy in Beijing; TC Chew, APAC Managing Director, Arup; and Fang Qiuchen, Chairman of CHINCA.
“The APAC region offers immense potential for infrastructure development, alongside unique complexities. At Arup, we are addressing these challenges using Total Design. This holistic approach brings us a comprehensive view on what’s possible, desirable, and commercially viable,” said TC Chew. “It enables us to integrate diverse expertise through seamless collaboration, creating innovative and sustainable solutions that adapt to changing client needs and regional obstacles. By delivering impactful projects that resonate with local communities, we drive meaningful change, shaping a resilient and sustainable built environment for the future.”
Kate West, Chief Officer, APAC Business & Markets at Arup, also delivered a keynote address, highlighting growth in the construction sector across the Asia-Pacific region.
“The Asia-Pacific region will see one of the highest construction industry growth rates of any region globally over the next 10 years, driven by the outperformance of key emerging markets including Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines,” she said. “This growth is driving huge demand for skills and capital across the building and infrastructure sectors, amid a broader economic expansion. At Arup, we’re harnessing our global expertise and deep local relationships across our integrated APAC region to navigate these complexities—sharing knowledge, building capabilities, and delivering better outcomes for our clients and communities.”
Two panel discussions followed the keynote speeches. The first, moderated by TC Chew, addressed ‘Challenges and opportunities of large-scale international infrastructure projects’. Panelists included Jacob Kam, CEO of MTR Corporation; Zhou Jiayi, Deputy GM of Power China International Company and GM of its Asia-Pacific Regional Headquarters; and Matt Crossman. Discussions centered on financing, new technologies, environmental policies, and cross-border regulatory frameworks. Speakers emphasised the value of strategic partnerships and mutual benefit.
Arup’s Michael McGowan, APAC Transport Market Portfolio Leader, and David Moran, APAC Digital Leader, shared insights on the future of infrastructure development, reflecting on their work across major multidisciplinary projects in transport and digital strategy.
The second panel, moderated by Philip Wong, East Asia Business & Markets Director at Arup, featured Chan Kuong In of China Construction Engineering (Macau), Lu Yuchun of Huawei, and Charles Im, Arup’s Southeast Asia Rail Leader. Their session explored market culture, digital design technology, and sustainability considerations shaping next-generation infrastructure.
In a separate discussion on sustainable infrastructure mechanisms, Theresa Yeung, East Asia Managing Principal at Arup, highlighted the significance of the Mechanism for International Sustainable Infrastructure Promotion (MISIP) as a platform for cross-sector collaboration.
“MISIP offers a valuable platform that brings together governments, investors, and technical experts to accelerate the development of sustainable infrastructure,” Yeung said. “At Arup, we believe that the most resilient and future-ready solutions emerge when diverse stakeholders collaborate from the outset. MISIP enables this by fostering shared understanding, aligning priorities, and encouraging innovation across sectors and geographies. It’s a much-needed mechanism to help cities and communities transition toward more inclusive, low-carbon, and adaptive infrastructure systems.”
With increasing international cooperation in infrastructure development—driven in part by initiatives like the Belt and Road—Arup views the forum as a critical venue for strengthening resource sharing and multidisciplinary collaboration. The event provided valuable insights into emerging trends, market dynamics, and strategic approaches essential to shaping future infrastructure worldwide.