PPP : Introduction
With the growing demand for mobility and infrastructure networks accommodating it, combined with ever limited public funding, the use of Public-private partnerships (PPP) can count on growing interest from public sector agents. But setting up a fruitful partnership is no sinecure, as it often concerns projects which in itself are of a complex nature and as it is based on other concepts and mechanisms than with traditional contracts.
The debate about PPP has a tendency of being dominated by legal and financial arguments. Frequently governments look at PPPs as the answer to their funding shortages. The IRF is seeking to counterbalance this by representing the voice of the industry in the debate.
The IRF advocates the use of PPP schemes in road network development by demonstrating the advantages of the use of PPP from an economic point of view. IRF also wants to raise realistic expectations about partnership contracts, since they are not a solution for everything. PPP should be considered as one of the ways in which a project can be procured.
An IRF article on the Economic advantages of PPP can be downloaded here (English version/ French version).
IRF undertakes several activities in the field of Public/private partnerships:
- The IRF has installed a Working Group on PPP, where active members discuss the issues related to the application of PPP schemes, share experience and draft position papers to be addressed to high level decision makers at relevant national and intergovernmental institutions.
- Sharing knowledge and best practices on the application of PPPs contributes to a better performance of procuring agents and the industry. To enhance the exchange of knowledge and experience on PPP, the IRF Knowledge Centre offers you as a member access to a number of key documents and web-based information channels that provide an overview of legislation and activities in the area of PPP.
- IRF brings out themed Publications on the subject of PPP on a regular basis. And by organising Events as international conferences and seminars, IRF contributes to the dissemination of knowledge and experience on Public/private partnerships.
