PM for implementing more G2G projects under PPP

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DHAKA, May 30, 2018 (BSS)-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked authorities concerned to undertake more G-to-G (government to government) based Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects for encouraging bilateral investments in the country.

She gave the directive while presiding over the second meeting of the Board of Governors of the PPP Authority held here, said a media release.

The prime minister said example will have to be set by implementing PPP projects successfully. If projects taken under the PPP are considered as a role model by the people, private investors and public project implementing authorities, confidence will be created among people about the PPP projects, she added.

During the meeting, execution of the G-to-G projects came up for discussion. To increase foreign investment in PPP projects under G-to-G system, Article of Cooperation was separately signed with Japan in June, 2017 and with Singapore in March, 2018 in line with the G-to-G policy of the government issued in June, 2017.

The interest of Japan in implementing eight projects under different ministries got priority during the discussion. Besides, the meeting also discussed Singapore’s interest in the development of housing, water supply, sewerage and river ports of Bangladesh.

Forty eight projects under the PPP Authority came up for discussion and these projects are expected to draw a total of US$12.6 billion investment for implementation. Out of the 48 projects, agreements have been signed with private partners for implementation of 10 projects. Agreement will be signed with private partners for two more projects soon.

The meeting was told that if it was possible to increase the implementation rate of the PPP projects, pressure on the state coffer would be reduced.

It discussed taking steps for implementation of 30 percent projects of Annual Development Programme (ADP) following the PPP system. A regulatory framework had been formed for making the activities of PPP Authority transparent and impartial.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Railways Minister Mujibul Haque, ICT minister Mustafa Jabbar and State Minister for Textile and Jute Mirza Azam, among others, attended the meeting.

Finance minister AMA Muhith handed over the crest given by UK-based PPP Bulletin to the Prime Minister.

The UK-based PPP Bulletin at a ceremony held in Australia awarded the government of Bangladesh as the ‘Government PPP Promoter of the Year’ in 2017.