Events

Public-Private Partnerships: new opportunities for infrastructure projects

Activity period: 28.07.2010 - 29.07.2010

Location: International Business Center

Questions: Many unfeasible but incredible ideas come to life when public and private enterprises emerge to do business together. This is what is all about the upcoming workshop which takes place at International Business Center at Tashkent on 28-29 July 2010.

The organizers of the workshop the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the State Committee on Demonopolization and Development of Competition of the Republic of Uzbekistan jointly with UNDP "Business Forum of Uzbekistan" project and the UN Economic Commission for Europe are to discuss "How to assess and implement infrastructure projects under public-private partnership."

This is because modern infrastructure has a key role in the socio-economic development of the country. Realizing the role of infrastructure in the socio-economic development, the Government of Uzbekistan for the past years of independence has invested considerable resources in this sector. Nevertheless, up to this day infrastructure remains a priority investment policy in the republic. As a result, the country has a modern road transport network and the airline system, energy sector develops, along with the modernization of housing and communal services, and modern infrastructure.

Economic and social transformations of the last two decades in Uzbekistan have created the ground for the consolidation of government and business community efforts in addressing the challenges of providing a wide range of public services, which have traditionally been the responsibility of state and local authorities. In this context, public-private partnership can be considered as an important mechanism for development and competitiveness in the further development of infrastructure and social services in Uzbekistan. The global trend in the past 10 years shows a continuous increase in the proportion of private business in the implementation of infrastructure projects. From 2001 to 2008 the total value of infrastructure projects implemented by using the mechanism of public-private partnership made up 843,3 billion U.S. dollars, of which a considerable part falls on the countries of Europe and Central Asia (23%) and East Asia and Pacific region (18%). According to the World Bank, in the period of 2001-2008 years in three countries, China (30,6%), India (11,8%) and Brazil (7,2%) are the leading countries based on the number of new PPP projects. Mechanisms of PPP in these countries are mainly used for long-term financing and management of public infrastructure, particularly transport, housing and community services, health, etc.

Today, private business has proved its efficiency and competitiveness; thus, in this context there is a challenge to create an enabling environment for greater involvement of resources, managerial skills and technologies of the private sector in upgrading the social infrastructure.

The purpose of the seminar is to enhance knowledge of public servants and private sector representatives on the development and implementation of infrastructure projects under public-private partnership. The seminar will discuss current state and prospects of development of public-private partnerships in infrastructure projects in the field of public utilities, road construction and recycling of household waste. Participants will be familiarized with modern methods of design, evaluation, implementation and monitoring of projects with the use of public-private partnership. Moreover, the government officials will be trained to develop, evaluate and implement projects using the PPP mechanism. Priority sectors and potential partners will be identified to provide support in the implementation of pilot infrastructure projects. Based on the results of discussions, a list of proposals will be elaborated with the aim to create an enabling environment for attraction of private operators to infrastructure projects.

During the workshop presentations will be made by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the State Committee on Demonopolization and Development of Competition, Khokimiyat of Sergeli district, “Uzavtoyul” state company, “Uzkommunhizmat” agency, “Makhsustrans” and international experts from the team of PPP specialist of UN Economic Commission for Europe.

If you would like to receive seminar materials or additional information, please visit the following websites: www.bfu.uz, www.undp.uz, and www.chamber.uz.