Sector Specific Need Assessment Study
Construction Sector Submitted by Clique Training Centre 2007
Almost all the people of Maldives have been enjoying self-help and most of the times,
incremental housing and building construction until a recent past. The type of construction, level
of finishing and material used for construction has been factors enabling this mode of
construction. With the introduction of reinforced concrete in late fifties, specialisation of different trades in construction, availability of different types of building materials and the requirement for different level of finishes, construction contracting and requirement for different trade expertise has become the norm for most of construction.
Given the limitation on the data availability, anecdotal evidence shows that the construction
industry has been growing stronger every year except for few dips in early eighties and between
2002 and 2003. This growth in the industry has created a growing need for professional,
paraprofessional (or semi-professional) and non-professional human resource.
Given the limited human resources available in Maldives, the human resource gap to support
the growing industry has been filled with expatriates, mostly from South Asia region. Anecdotal
evidence also suggests other factors contributing to growing expatriate population that takes a
major share of the job market.
It is also important to note that there has been some externalities contributing to the boosting of
the construction sector during some periods. For instance, 2004 tsunami that struck the
Maldives had created a need for urgent construction of houses and other infrastructure causing
a boost in the industry, especially in the islands. Similarly, government's decision to add 35
island resorts into the tourism sector would further contribute to this type boost in the industry.
This should not be taken as normal growth of the sector, however, as opportunities to improve
the capacity of the sector for a healthy growth of the industry.
Next to tourism, construction sector has the second most number of expatriate employees. The
recent development of the industry and the urgent demand for construction has lead to an
unprecedented increase in the number of expatriate workers.
Like other sectors, construction sector has also seen several developments in the recent years.
These include;
· Compulsory registration of designers, engineers and other related professional
· Development and implementation of the first Building Code of Maldives
· Registration of contractors
· Formation of Maldives Association of Construction Industry (MACI)
· Streamlining of the building approval mechanism
· Organisation of different training programmes in different fields
Details of these developments and their impact on the industry would be highlighted in the final
report:
