Concord Engineers and Construction Ltd has introduced an advanced technology -- top-down construction method - for constructing the WorldTYade Centre (WTC) here in the port city.

According to the method, at first the road-level basement is constructed, keeping sufficient space to let workers and machines go downward. Then the other basements are constructed.

This method is widely used in different developed cities in America, Russia and Hong Ko ng.

The company disclosed the method that was used for con-structing the three basements

of the WTC at a press briefing here yesterday.

Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, Concord Group Chairman SM Kamal Uddin and Managing Director SK Lala, among others, were present.

The construction work of the WTC, first of its kind in the country, started on August 29, 2006 in the city's Agrabad Commercial Area and is expected to be completed within this year.

The CCCI is implementing the Tk 150 crore project on a 3.75 bigha land.

The salient features of the WTC include an international-

standard convention hall, world-class hotel, and fitness and recreation facilities.

Concord Group chairman said they used the method for constructing the 21-storey structure's three basements, as they found the soil condition of the location adjacent to a large water body very poor.

“Due to the soil condition, we found it difficult to construct the foundation in a conventional method from down to top,” he said.

The CCCI president emphasised the need for world-class infrastructure for building a world-class city and hoped that the WTC would attract more foreign investmentinfuture.