IFC and partners hold high-level global forum on PPPs in Tunisia to drive investment in key sectors

IFC and partners hold high-level global forum on PPPs in Tunisia to drive investment in key sectors

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, in partnership with the Tunisian Ministry of Development, Investment and International Cooperation, the General Commission for Public-Private Partnership, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), is holding a high-level global forum on public-private partnerships (PPP) in Tunis to boost investment in key sectors.

Thirty-three major projects worth more than 13 billion Tunisian dinars will be presented at the forum, which will be led by Prime Minister Youssef Chahed alongside a number of ministers and key stakeholders. The government is also presenting its new, recently finalised PPP legislative framework at the forum, which covers vital sectors such as energy, water, transport, logistics, infrastructure and technology.

The global forum is part of the government’s commitment to adopt new mechanisms to advance investment, boost growth, and open up opportunities for national and foreign private investment, easing the burden on public finances.

IFC has advised governments across the MENA region on PPP transactions in a number of sectors including airports, roads, public transport, power generation and distribution, water and wastewater, health, education, and waste. Clients have included Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the West Bank and Gaza.

“Governments in MENA urgently need to improve the quality of their infrastructure,” said Mouayed Makhlouf, IFC Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “IFC is committed to helping governments meet this challenge through mechanisms like PPPs, which play a strong part in funding vital infrastructure projects and improving service delivery, and forums like this one provide an excellent way to move the discussion and projects forward.”

“International institutions like EBRD and IFC together with the private sector can play an important role along with the state in developing sustainable economic growth, with better infrastructure. We stand ready to provide substantial support for the realisation of this pipeline, through project preparation and financing,” said Pierre Heilbronn, EBRD Vice President for policies and partnerships.

The high-level forum will bring together international experts as well as key players from the financial, investment and advisory sectors; senior officials from regional and international financial institutions, banks and investment funds; leading local and foreign investors; and representatives of the Tunisian administration, national organisations and civil society.

A number of projects that could be implemented using PPP will be presented and discussed in special workshops during the forum, including a discussion on PPP prospects in local communities.

Original source: IFC
Published on 18 September 2018