THE Government is looking into bringing forward some of the $4.7 billion worth of public construction projects to boost the economy, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said on Friday.

'We're in the process of re-looking at these projects and see how we can bring forward some of these deferred projects. This is an exercise that's ongoing at the moment,' said Mr Mah at an HDB event.

These projects were deferred in the last year due to soaring construction costs.

Mr Mah said the 'primary concern is to bring back those projects where we are able to help some of the smaller contractors (who build) smaller projects'.

Across the ministries, statutory boards are also looking to bring forward some of their projects to take advantage of the potentially lower costs of construction, he added.

In the case of HDB and the National Development Ministry, programmes such as lift upgrading, Home Improvement and Neighbourhood Renewal programmes will be considered to be brought forward.

The total dollar value of the projects to be brought forward, and the specific project names will be released by early next year, said Mr Mah.