Cypriot SMEs to lead the way in digital construction shift

The Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (Etek) recently hosted a European workshop titled “Scaling BIM Down: Making BIM work for small firms and small projects”, as part of its efforts to represent the country in the EU BIM Task Group and promote the adoption of the BIM methodology.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a collaborative, technology-driven process for creating and managing digital, data-rich 3D models of construction projects throughout their entire lifecycle.

The workshop focused on promoting BIM adoption among small firms and was organised within the broader goal of advancing the digital transformation of the construction sector.

According to an announcement by Etek, representatives from seven countries participated in the workshop, which took place in the presence of the two co-chairs of the EU BIM Task Group steering committee.

The event was held at a time when small and medium-sized enterprises represent a significant share of the construction and infrastructure market in Cyprus as well as across the European Union.

The main objective of the workshop was to encourage open dialogue and exchange of views on BIM implementation, allowing participants to share experiences and proposals on how SMEs can integrate the methodology and adapt effectively to the ongoing digital transition in the construction industry.

Etek said that participants engaged in substantive discussions on practical BIM solutions, raising concerns, presenting practical approaches and shaping common proposals aimed at the effective adoption of BIM by small companies and projects of limited scale.

Opening remarks were delivered by First Executive Engineer at the Public Works Department Thrasos Afamis, representing the transport, communications and works minister, European Council of Civil Engineers president and Etek first vice-president Platon Stylianou, and Etek secretary general Andreas Theodotou, who delivered a message on behalf of the chamber’s president.

“The benefits of the BIM process extend beyond large-scale projects and also reach smaller projects that represent the majority of construction activity,” Etek president Constantinos Constanti said in the message.

The chamber president explained that “Etek has placed the promotion of BIM at the centre of its strategy“.

Moreover, he stressed that the organisation has “made the promotion of actions supporting the sector’s digital transformation a high priority“.

He added that Etek has established a scientific committee dedicated to BIM, which has prepared an extensive and comprehensive report outlining a roadmap for the gradual implementation of BIM practices in the construction sector.

The report, he said, “has already been submitted to the relevant ministries for consideration”.

The Etek president also explained that the chamber played a decisive role in introducing the digital submission and management of planning and building permit applications, describing the initiative as a significant step towards the digitisation of procedures.

However, he stressed the importance of fully utilising available technology so that building permits can eventually be issued directly on the basis of BIM models.

“The adoption of BIM is a strategic priority for the government of Cyprus,” Afamis said during his remarks on behalf of the transport, communications and works ministry.

He presented a package of proposals prepared by the ministry, including the pilot implementation of BIM processes in significant public works projects.

Afamis also made specific reference to the support provided to small and medium-sized enterprises to facilitate BIM adoption, highlighting measures designed to help companies transition into the era of digital construction.

“We are at a decisive point for the future of the sector, with significant challenges but also important opportunities,” Stylianou said in his address.

He added that the adoption of BIM, together with artificial intelligence and other digital technologies, can pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient construction sector.

“With the adoption of BIM as well as artificial intelligence and other digital technologies we can look forward to a more sustainable and resilient construction sector with greater safety and efficiency,” Stylianou concluded.