Govt moves to expedite PPP implementation
Rezaul Karim | Wednesday, 22 June 2016
The government has taken necessary strategies to expedite the move towards implementation of public-private partnership (PPP) projects, although the initiative hangs in the balance since its inception, sources said.
The PPP initiative has been limited to discussion only. In fact, no progress in this regard has been made in last seven years, they added.
Besides, budgetary allocation earmarked for PPP in a fiscal year is not spent in the fiscal year. As a result, the allocation is diverted to other projects, they also said.
As part of the move, the PPP authority is set to adopt a national PPP implementation plan soon, according to the PPP authority data.
Different initiatives will be taken to select new projects and implement them under PPP, according to a source.
Besides, a decision has been taken to reduce the duration of the selection process of investors for PPP.
Payra Port will be set up in Patuakhali under PPP initiative and necessary steps will also be taken under PPP to develop the area concerned.
Moreover, the authority has already prepared a draft policy on G2G projects. The policy will come into effect soon. A high-powered committee has already been formed to review the draft G2G partnership policy-2016.
The G2G policy provides the framework for engagement and modality for delivery of PPP projects to be undertaken through G2G partnership arrangement. State-owned or private sector entities will execute the projects with the support from bilateral sovereign partners, sources said.
Now, there are 44 projects under PPP across the country, according to the PPP authority data.
The new budget for the next fiscal year 2016-17 has proposed an allocation of Tk 20 billion for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.
The same amount of money (Tk 20 billion) was allocated for PPP initiatives this fiscal year.
Bangladesh Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Act, 2015 has already been enacted.