Developing the construction industry in the United Arab Emirates with special reference to Abu Dhabi

This study has two main objectives. The first objective is to investigate the role of the construction industry and its related activities and resources in the UAE economy during the three periods of boom (1970-79), recession (1980-88), and recovery (1989-onwards). The second objective is to examine the administrative structure and its role in recognising and managing the development process, and particularly the role of a central agency in developing a national construction industry. In order to achieve these objectives, firstly, the study used basic economic indicators to investigate the economic potentials of the construction industry, such as GFCF, CCF, VA, CVA, employment and other resource indicators, future trends and others. Secondly, it examined the performance of several administrative models in managing the industry's continuous development by close scrutiny of the three main aspects in the development programme, commitment, comprehensiveness, and flexibility in three different areas, personnel, organisational and activities. Finally, this led to drawing a more appropriate and theoretical management structure for developing the industry's performance in Abu Dhabi, which is examined by both the Government, represented by its officials, and the industry, represented by the contractors. The findings of the study indicated that the construction industry is the second most important sector after the oil industry. Construction, when considered as a potential economic regulator and as a tool for economic diversification, has shown that the existing administrative structure and its established measures are ineffective to support such a role. Also the undeveloped relationships between the different personnel and parties who are involved in the development process hindered the attempts to build a national industry. To build a mature industry, and ensure continuous development, the industry is in urgent need of qualified personnel, and a powerful body in the form of a separate public institution, to innovate, lead and execute the whole development and construction process. The proposal is welcomed by the Government and the industry, despite this, the industry, the contractors in particular, represent a very conservative element unlikely to contribute positively in such a programme until they can see benefits for themselves.