Publication: Focus Group Discussion
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Date
2007-11
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2007-11
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The Pakistan Infrastructure Implementation Capacity Assessment (PIICA) study was initiated in response to a specific request from the Government of Pakistan (GoP) to study the capacity of the local construction industry (client institutions, contractors and consultants) to deliver the planned infrastructure projects under the Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF). The objectives of the focus group discussions were to: (i) ensure active participation and ownership of stakeholders in the study; (ii) obtain concurrence on the framework for the study and the technical analyses to be carried out; and (iii) obtain feedback and comments on findings and develop consensus on the way forward. Focus group discussions helped identify the broad thematic areas and the issues which should be researched. The discussion provided a framework for preparation of a detailed questionnaire to be used for ascertaining stakeholders' perceptions about the industry and to solicit their comments and suggestions. The focus group also identified the need for carrying out separate technical analyses and emphasized that case studies of various projects should be prepared. The focus group discussions validated the results obtained from the perceptions surveys and the technical analyses and the stakeholders concurred with the complex issues and challenges faced by the construction industry. While valuable suggestions were provided in the focus group discussions which can remove a number of constraints faced by the industry, there were no solutions offered which could be implemented to provide increased capacity over the short-term as the systematic weaknesses in the business environment, the lack of adequately skilled human resource (HR), lack of client agencies capacity, lack of financing, and credit available to the industry and other constraints cannot be addressed within an immediate or short-term time frame clearly, besides taking measures to develop the local construction industry, innovative methods of procurement, and delivery mechanisms will need to be thought of in order to meet all of the MTDF infrastructure development goals.
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“Mir, Aized H.; Malik, Ermeena; Durrani, Amer Z.. 2007. Focus Group Discussion. © http://hdl.handle.net/10986/19544 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
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Publication Development of Construction Industry : A Literature Review(2007-11-01)The construction industry in Pakistan is well aware of the challenges it faces and its issues, constraints, and recommendations are also well documented in reports published from time to time. This study shows that business environment (demand-side), Human Resources (HR), equipment and materials are key factors restraining growth therefore showing that there are no short-term fixes for these problems. A sustained long-term committed approach to developing the construction industry (contractors, consultants, and, clients) is of paramount importance. 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The study identifies areas that contain business processes and which relative to other processes in the life cycle of a project are disproportionate, or a cause of significant time delays in completion of such projects. Such disproportionate business processes that are unpredictable and vary greatly from the planned time or inputs are areas that can be the focus for selective and further analysis, process re-engineering and recommendations. Such areas can be targeted to improve the overall business and regulatory environment applicable to players and stakeholders relevant to infrastructure projects. The study identifies that corruption in the overall environment exists which over time has become embedded and is accepted as necessary, if a project is to be successfully won and then executed with minimum hindrances from the government. These practices cannot be called business processes but are an integral and unavoidable reality of the current business environment. 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Also, the Government of Pakistan (GoP) is seeking to attract participation of investors from the UAE into domestic infrastructure projects. The study also briefly considers the potential impact of the infrastructure development boom in the UAE on the Pakistan infrastructure implementation capacity in terms of competition for skilled resources in relation to consulting firms and construction services. The study points out that while government agencies and private sector in the UAE have been very successful in implementing various large projects in the past, however, capacity constraints are becoming evident in construction and infrastructure implementation due to the mega size and scale of projects envisaged for completion over the coming years. Therefore, as in the case of other regions with expanding demand but constrained capacity, the way forward is likely to be an increasing focus on private sector participation as well as on newer models and formats in which the projects will be implemented. The experiences of Malaysia, China, and the UAE helped in understanding the processes involved in developing the capacity to undertake large scale infrastructure projects. Common lessons are: that a strategic long-term vision and integrated master plan; ensured funding; sustained efforts to build up required human capital; and providing an enabling environment for local as well as international consultants, contractors, and investors to work in the country proved successful. 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The report is the 11th edition of the Doing Business series.Publication Foreign Stakeholders' Perception Survey(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2007-11)The literature review and especially the country specific assessments and reports indicated that the capacity of a local construction industry may be limited due to a wide variety of reasons. Therefore, a survey of foreign stakeholders was planned as part of the Pakistan Infrastructure Implementation Capacity Assessment (PIICA). Its objective was to obtain insight on the perceptions of international contractors and consultants and their level of interest in pursuing business in Pakistan. The following were the key issues explored: (i) For countries with the worst business environment, what are the various issues that make the business environments in these countries challenging? Are such challenges acceptable? (ii) For countries with the best business environment, how are the same issues rated? (iii) What would attract foreign stakeholders to pursue business in Pakistan and what deters them? (iv) What are the general perceptions about the business environment in Pakistan? (v) If Pakistan is not on top of the list for exploring business, is it because there is plenty of work available elsewhere?
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