Hock Lian Seng Holdings, the BCA Grade A1 civil engineering infrastructure builder and a building materials supplier, increased its 1Q2010 net profit by 79.1% to $7.7 million for the period ended 31 March 2010 from $4.3 million in 1Q2009.

Revenue increased 5.7% to $61.7 million in 1Q2010 from $58.4 million in 1Q2009, driven by the strong civil engineering construction activities.

The Civil Engineering segment saw an increase of $3.6 million in revenue in 1Q2010 with the contribution of Marina Bay Station Project, Marina Coastal Expressway Project and Gali Batu Depot Project.

CEO Chua Leong Hai says, “We are pleased to continue our good performance from 2009 into the new financial year. Our order book of $522.7 million as at 31 March 2010 will continue to keep us busy for the coming few years.”

The group maintained a strong balance sheet as at 31 March 2010 with cash and cash equivalents at $156.2 million.

According to the press release issued by Ministry of Trade and Industry dated 14 April 2010, the domestic construction sector recorded a growth of 11.3% on a year-on-year basis in the first quarter of 2010, supported by sustained public sector civil engineering activities and an increase in the number of residential construction projects.