he findings and conclusion provide a number of key recommendations, including:
(1) South East Asia needs to open up to change, particularly with respect to parity in issues of global competition in FM standards.
(2) Whilst embracing a more open policy towards global competition will no doubt bring positive benefits in terms of increased foreign direct investment and alleviate some of the main concerns of the western world, in FM terms it will allow the concept and practice of FM to grow, with new foreign entrants likely to enter the market place and in so doing help to improve the quality of service. In parallel with this there should also be a general improvement in the formulation of appropriate contractual arrangements, with well-defined output specifications and the continuing use of associated contractual mechanisms.
(3) The development of FM within the region would certainly appear to stand to gain from greater public sector participation and support which should perhaps be actively promoted and encouraged by such industry bodies as IFMA, etc. Greater public sector participation would create a top-down approach involving government recognition and support, through the establishment of regulatory boards, in order to create a maintenance culture.
(4) Countries within SEA need to fully implement political and economic reforms, and address issues of the cultural aspects of the business environment.
(5) Industry bodies such as IFMA need to have a more cohesive regional presence beyond existing chapters in Hong Kong and Singapore, similar to the existence of EuroFM which has been established to promote FM throughout the whole of Europe. The role of IFMA as the leading global industry body should be fully supported and encouraged in order to influence issues such as:
* Greater promotion and awareness of FM is required in order to gain wider industry recognition, overcome cultural barriers and the general lack of understanding and appreciation of what FM actually constitutes and comprises, which currently appears to be the case.
* Promotion and integration of modern western techniques is needed, such as the management of property assets through PFI, PPP, and securitisation models.
* There is a need to promote FM though a singular body in locations such as Singapore, where IFMA currently exists alongside the NFMA and which could undermine the overall growth of FM in the same way as its early development in the USA.
* There is also a need to develop relevant learning and academic programmes to support the existing skill and knowledge base. IFMA has developed standards to recognise quality facility management, and first-professional degree programs at colleges and universities elsewhere.