May 8: Contractors from across the country met in the capital yesterday for the 10th Annual General Meeting of Construction Association of Bhutan. The daylong meeting discussed issues ranging from the delay in bill payment to contract rate negotiations.

The participants said the Construction Development Board (CDB) should be strengthened. They said CDB is yet to be recognized nationally as the authority for the construction industry.

CDB was established to register, classify and monitor contractors, and consultants. The board also addresses issues and problems faced by the industry and create an atmosphere for the development of the construction industry.

The meeting also stressed the need for professionalism in the construction industry. They said often contractors are accused of not meeting the quality standard and completing work on time.

Members pointed out the lack of human resources especially engineers as one of the constraints faced by the industry.