Construction Association of Bhutan

SUMMARY OF NOTABLE EVENTS FOR THE ASSOCIATION

Jan 25, 2000

Birth & Constitution of the Contractors Association of Bhutan (CAB) under unanimous decision of all 235 contractors who attended the meeting (i.e. 85% out of 277 licensed class ABC contractors at that time) convened under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble President of Bhutan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) in Thimphu. Following constitutional members for the Association where elected during the conference:

Dasho Ugen Tsechup Dorji, Singye Group of Companies,President
Dasho Lhendup Dorji, East West Construction Co.,Executive Committee Member
Sonam Wangdi, Bhutan Builders, Executive Committee Member
Dasho Bap Kuenga, Samling Construction, Executive Member
Dasho Wangdi, Kuendey Construction Co., Executive Member
Lhendup Tshering, Namcha Construction, Executive Member
T.T. Dorji, Wangchuk Construction, Executive Member
Gembo Phurba, Jamyang Construction, Executive Member
Tshering, Karma Construction, Executive Member

This historical meeting of the Class ABC contractors went into record as the First Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association, which not only elected its President & Constitutional Members under the Chairmanship of BCCI President, but also passed resolution for mobilization of fund for the Association through levy of annual mandatory Membership Fee to all Class ABC contractors at the rate of Nu 10000, Nu 5000 & Nu 3000 respectively.

Apr 03, 2000

Ms Chechey Nedup joins the Association as its Secretary.

Nov 20, 2000

The Association convenes its 2^nd AGM in Thimphu. Key issues discussed are:

CDB Registration system & related concerns
Arbitrary Issues
Labor & Recruitment Concerns
Importance to pay membership fee

May 04, 2001

1^st ECM was convened in BCCI conference hall, Thimphu to program activities.

Sep 25, 2001

First Emergency General Meeting (EGM) of All Contractors was called in Thimphu by the Association. 160 contractors attended the meeting. Key issues discussed are:

Phasing out labor requirement
Specialization & Reduction of Categorization of Works/Classes from W1-7 to W1-4
Importance to pay membership fee.

Dec 28, 2001

Association convened its 3^rd AGM in Thimphu under the Chairmanship of its President where 71 contractors attended the meeting. Dasho Ugen Tsechup Dorji, was unanimously re-elected as President to lead the Association. All other Executive Committee Members were replaced by new election as follows:

Dasho Ugyen Tenzin Dorji, Lhojong Construction
Sangay Tenzin, Druk Sherig Construction
Shacha Rinchen Dorji, Rinson Construction
Capt. (rtd.) Chewang Dorji, Cee Dee Construction
Gem Tshering, Druk Chapchup Construction
Sangay Tempa, Druk Penden Construction
Rinchen Daba, R.D. Construction
Gup Pem Tshering, Pee Tee Construction
Yeshey Namgay, Yeshey Namgay Construction

Following were also nominated as CAB members(accompanying President) in the Construction Development Board:

Shacha Rinchen Dorji, Rinson Construction, Representing Class A
Capt. (rtd.) Chewang Dorji, Cee Dee Construction, Representing Class B
Yeshey Namgay, Yeshey Namgay Construction, Representing Class C

Decision was taken to recruit a General Secretary for the Association to head the Secretariat.

Jan 09, 2002

Hon'ble President on behalf of the Association signed memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Royal Government for employment of Bhutanese & Foreign workers in the construction companies.

Mar 18, 2002

2^nd ECM was convened to discuss the following key issues:

Establishment of CAB Liaison Offices
Launching of CAB Website
Hiring of Machineries through CAB Secretariat

May 08, 2002

3^rd ECM met for interviewing short-listed candidates for selection & recruitment as Liaison Officer for the designated place of posting.

May 24, 2002

4^th ECM met to Interview the short-listed candidate applicants and Select for Recruitment for the post of General Secretary. Mr Game Tshering S/O late Gup Penjore, Humrel Block, Paro was selected to be further confirmed before recruitment.

July 01, 2002

Mr Game Tshering (after confirmation on his references) was called by the Hon'ble President to get briefing, as per the TOR, for heading the Secretariat of CAB as its General Secretary.

July 11, 2002

Game Tshering takes over as General Secretary of the CAB on July 11, 2002 corresponding to First day of the Sixth Month of Water Male Horse Year as per Bhutanese calendar.

July 19, 2002

Nomination of General Secretary of CAB as 'Observer' in the Construction Development Board (CDB) was accepted by the Hon'ble Chairman of CDB.

July 26, 2002

Briefing of the Liaison Officers by the General Secretary, as per the job description handed out.

July 29, 2002

Placement of Liaison Officers for posting in station Dzongkhag, as decided by the 4^th ECM namely Punakha, Bumthang, Mongar, Trashigang, Gelephu & Phuentsholing.

Aug 09, 2002

5^th ECM was called & convened by the General Secretary, in the absence of Hon'ble President, as directed, to apprise the following:

Introduction of the General Secretary with the Members
Interviewing short-listed candidates for selection & recruitment as Personnel Officer with dual function to look after administration & as language assistance
Fixation of the date of next ECM on August 22, 2002 when Hon'ble President is back from abroad

Aug 21, 2002

First Engineers Meet programmed & called to discuss immediate concern in the area of mechanization under the elect chairperson (by the group) of Dasho Dorji Norbu, Managing Director, BECPL and Vice-chairperson of Mr. Jiwan Siwakoti, Managing Director, Singye Construction. Recommendation of the Engineers Meet submitted to Private Sector Development Committee by the Secretariat in for of a proposal on 'Mechanization and Related Issues.

Aug 22, 2002

6^th ECM was called were deliberation were conducted by the Hon'ble President on:

Appointment of General Secretary
Status Report from General Secretary
Immediate Strategic Plan for CAB
Reduction of the membership fee by 50% in 2003 and t bring Class D contractors under the purview of membership fee
Slab Rate Levy on all winning contract awards as a rational mechanism for mobilization of funds for the Association
Formulation of draft constitution document, AOA, for adoption by the General Body
Calling of General Body Meeting

Sep 11, 2002

CAB attended late Secretary Ministry of Communication who is also the Chairperson of Construction Development Board(CDB).

Oct 03, 2002

General Secretary called the 7^th ECM, as a preparatory meeting, to finalize the program of the scheduled 4^th AGM. The most significant decision is the endorsement of both the text (Dzongkha & English) of AOA 2002 for the Association for adoption in the 4^th AGM by the General Body (Re: AOA 2002).

Oct 10-11, 2002

4^th AGM was convened with formal opening of the office and conducted with traditional inaugural ceremony for both AGM conference in BCCI conference hall & the Secretariat's new Office. Some of the notable decisions are:

Contribution to Bhutan Health Trust Fund by CAB
Understanding with MOHA on labor & related issues
Support from the RAA to share information from Audit Report in the area & concern related to contractors
Reduction of membership fee by 50% simultaneously with enrolment of Class D contractor as endorsed by the 7^th ECM
Seek support from MTI to realize membership fee during license renewal exercise
Approval of Slab Rate Levy as a rational mechanism of mobilizing funds for the Association's cause
AOA 2002 in both text (Dzongkha & English) was adopted with endorsement by the 8th ECM

Oct 21, 2002

8^th ECM was convened to mainly discuss & endorse the minutes of the 4^th AGM for circulation & finalizing the AOA 2002 adoption after incorporation of comments as decided in the 4^th AGM.

Oct 22, 2002

The Association received for the first time outside delegation from Overseas Construction Council of India in its Secretariat's Office & held discussions under Chairmanship of its President. Consensus was reached for exchange area of cooperation in the field of information, technology & experiences in construction.

Nov 27, 2002

AOA 2002, in Dzongkha & English Text, was submitted to BCCI for endorsement to enable further ratification by the concern authority.

Dec 19, 2002

9^th ECM met to be apprised of the progress made since the 4^th AGM. Agenda was also tabled to avail Overdraft Facility to warrant future plan of action, given the slow nature of cash flow.

Dec 26, 2002

BCCI nominated three Members from Bhutan in the SAARC Construction Industry Council as follows: 1. Dasho Ugen Tsechup Dorji, President, CAB 2. Mr. Game Tshering,General Secretary, CAB 3. Mrs. Dorji Choden,Head, NACS&QC, MOC

Jan 08, 2003

Association availed OD facility from Bhutan National Bank for Nu One million on the strength of the ECM guarantee extended in form of 'resolution letter.

Feb 02-10, 2003

As a part of the scientific research on availability of national workforce willing to work in the construction sector, Field Assessment of Tsirang Dzongkhag was carried as a 'Pilot Research' with the clearance from MOHA & support/cooperation from Tsirang Dzongkhag Administration (Re: Field Assessment Report, February 2003).

Feb 17, 2003

BBS ran coverage on employment scenario in construction sector within the backdrop of the MOU signed between the Association & the Royal Government in January 09, 2002.

Feb 27, 2003

10^th ECM was called by the General Secretary for discussion on the situational assessment & progress by the Secretariat in the past six months since the last 4^th AGM in early October 2002. Emphasis was made to the report on Field Assessment of Tsirang Dzongkhag for submission to the MOHA.

March14, 2003

Contractors led by President CAB held meeting with FNCCI delegation in BCCI Executive Board Room at 14.30 hrs. Understanding was reached to draw MOU with CAB on Association to Association basis relationship.