The Association has identified several objectives that we would like to implement in the future.

The following include objectives on which work has not yet begun:

• The establishment of a sub-committee to review foreign funded projects and recommend acceptable minimum mandatory local input requirements for these projects.
• Develop guidelines for hurricane repair estimates and the recommendation that contractors be used as Adjusters.
• The establishment of an Adopt an Institution Program where the Contractor's Association will actively adopt a public institution and help to maintain and keep it in good repair.
• The establishment of a liaison sub-committee that will coordinate with the various government departments.
• The establishment of a committee that will coordinate Training Programs, especially in the areas of work attitude and work ethic improvement and Construction Safety Education.
• Establish an annual awards banquet to recognize contractors and their contribution to the development of Antigua and Barbuda.

The Association has presently identified several objectives that are in the process of being realized.

We already have sub-committees working on the following:

• The implementation of a Contractor's Registration Act.
• Nation-wide training in construction funded through CIDA and coordinated by the NDF.
• The establishment of a committee to liaison with the architects and engineers. The committee will also provide budget guidelines for construction project.
• The establishment of a Clean Up Antigua Campaign group responsible for coordinating with the Antigua and Barbuda Independent Tourism Promotion Corp.
• The Website Development Committee which will develop and maintain the web site for the Antigua and Barbuda Contractor's Association.

The purpose of the new Antigua and Barbuda Contractor's Association is to spearhead improvement in the construction industry of Antigua and Barbuda and to seek to enhance the success and development of local contractors.

This entails the following objectives:

1. Ensuring an improvement in the relationship between the Contractor, the Architect/Engineer, and the owner.
2. Providing a better working relationship between the contractor and the Government Authorities.
3. Providing, outside the law, a forum for project owners to address any grievances that they may have, from time to time, with any contractor.
4. Providing a platform for contractors to have dialog amongst themselves on issues pertaining to the industry and to the country at large.
5. Creating an organization that is united and cohesive, that would seek the interest of the contractors and express their collective opinions.
6. Ensuring the implementation of the Contractors Registration Act by the relevant Government Authorities.

Issues that emerge in the regulation of the construction industry

1. The registration of all contractors will be required. The general public will then have access to a registry of contractors.
2. A National Apprentice Scheme should be implemented under the umbrella of the Contractor's Association, along with the Government and Unions.
3. A National Grading Board will be established so that all trade persons could be graded. (Again, this board should have representatives from the Contractor's Association, the Government, and the unions.)
4. Acceptable Productivity Standards must be established for all categories of workers.