The Central Planning Unit was established in 1979 to satisfy the planning and research functions of the then Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications. Over time, the responsibilities of the Ministry have evolved and expanded and the Unit now operates as a hub for the coordinating and monitoring of projects and programmes of the Ministry of Works and Transport.

• Assistance with/ coordination of the annual capital budgets, projects and strategic plans of the various Divisions/ Units/ Authorities
  
• Preparation of progress reports, visits to project sites and attendance at project meetings
  
• Coordination of the Development Programme and key recurrent projects of the Ministry and the preparation of monthly and annual status reports on the relevant projects
  
• Assistance with policy formulation and research, preparation of notes for cabinet, comments on papers, socio-economic research into sectoral areas and development of a statistical database
  
• Provision of advice to the Minister/ Permanent Secretary/ Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Divisions and Units of the Ministry and Inter-Ministerial Committees on Economic and Policy matters
  
• Participation on various Ministerial Committees and other related matters
  
• Accumulation of information and preparation of relevant documentation for utilization in the National Budget
  
• Monitoring of the Statutory Authorities, State Agencies, Special Purpose Companies and other related bodies under the purview of the Ministry
  
• Monitoring of responsibilities as defined by key regional and international bodies