There are underlying systemic challenges associated with project implementation on the outer islands of the Maldives that must be considered in project design, as these conditions are different from those of other South Asian developing member countries. First, direct project oversight is more difficult because of transport issues unique to the archipelago. (Many outer islands are remote, with transport by lengthy, infrequent, and irregularly scheduled boat trips. The only alternative of hiring fast private boats is very expensive.) Second, a subproject on a particular outer island is naturally much smaller than infrastructure projects in larger countries. Third, the cost of hiring international consultants for long periods makes consultant costs disproportionately high when compared with direct project costs such as civil works, and the availability of local consultants may be limited in a small population.
Outer Islands Electrification (Sector) Project