The construction industry in development : issues and options

This report presents the results of follow-up research on a previous study which recommended developing a viable strategy for promoting the construction industry in developing countries. The report deals with five principal themes. It defines the scope of the construction industry, discusses its role in economic development, outlines the main objectives of a construction industry project and sets out the criteria for its success. It further identifies some major issues in past Bank operations for developing the industry, analyzes the prevailing concepts, strategies and practices. In addition, the report identifies the major barriers affecting the growth of the construction industry, explores the options for addressing them, and recommends the basic strategy for overcoming the barriers. The report also examines the instruments for implementing the basic strategy and the prospects of success. Lastly, the report discusses the rationale for Bank involvement and explains how its objectives of promoting economic development, the raison d'etre of the Bank, will be adversely affected if it does not play a major role in fostering the growth of construction industries in developing countries.