Public-Private Partnership Programs : Creating a Framework for Private Sector Investment in Infrastructure

Project finance through public-private partnerships (PPP) can offer private investors the security that allows them to fill the huge gap of unmet need left over when sources of public and donor financing are exhausted. PPP can increase the proportion of large-scale infrastructure projects delivered on time and on budget, increase innovation and competition, enhance project evaluation and due diligence, prioritize value for money, and provide new opportunities for local capital markets. However, the recent financial crises, the market doldrums that have followed, and the cautious response of financial regulators have substantially reduced the financing available for PPP projects. Accordingly, governments and business entities need to focus more than ever on managing lenders and on creating the right framework for PPP.