/ / News
18.10.2013

Belarus launches PPP project in partnership with EU, UNDP

MINSK, 18 October (BelTA) – The Economy Ministry of Belarus has launched a public-private partnership project jointly with the European Union and the United Nations Development Program, BelTA learned from the Economy Ministry.

The development of public-private partnership (PPP) as an innovative instrument for the infrastructure projects is finding its way into the economic policy in Belarus. The foreign experience shows that PPP is the most optimal solution for the implementation of projects to build roads, kindergartens and schools, hospitals and to carry out infrastructure upgrade projects in the housing and utility services sector. It is a unique tool that benefits the state, business and citizens, because it creates new production facilities, new jobs, and services for the Belarusians,” reads the communication posted on the website of the Economy Ministry.

The high interest of the Economy Ministry in effective implementation of investment infrastructure projects helped start the two-year joint project with the European Union and the United Nations Development Program "Strengthening national capacities of the Republic of Belarus in applying public-private partnership mechanisms”. The United Nations Development Program is in charge of the project implementation. Expert support will be provided by PPP specialists from the UN Economic Commission for Europe. The project is funded by the European Union and co-financed by the United Nations Development Program. National implementing agency is the Economy Ministry of Belarus, and the national coordinator of the project is Economy Minister Nikolai Snopkov.

Given the importance of public-private partnership for development of infrastructure industries crucial to the country's competitiveness, the project aims to accelerate the introduction of PPP mechanisms into economic practices,” the Economy Minsitry said.

One of the priorities is the training of highly-qualified personnel capable of initiating, developing and implementing public-private partnership projects. A massive information and education campaign is also in the plans. It will present the latest achievements in the field of PPP, its benefits and international experiences, and will also help gain practical skills. The first important information event of the project would be an international conference with the participation of international experts in PPP “Public-private partnership: best international experience and prospects for the Republic of Belarus” to be held in Minsk on 18 October.

An equally important objective of the project is to assist in improving the legislative framework ensuring the legitimacy of PPP in infrastructure industries, to create the organizational and management agency - the National PPP Center. The medium-term mission of the PPP center is to help enhance the attractiveness of the Belarusian market for investment capital. The PPP center will contribute to the creation of a sustainable system of public-private partnership in accordance with best international practice.

To accelerate the implementation of the pilot PPP projects in Belarus, the project involves the development of a methodological framework for the introduction of the mechanism of identifying, selecting and evaluating PPP projects as well as the guidelines for the preparation of a national plan for the development of infrastructure in Belarus.

Thus, the main objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of the public and private sectors, academia and civil society organizations to identify, promote, and implement PPP projects in the infrastructure sector in Belarus. It will facilitate the mutually beneficial cooperation between the state and the private sector, improve the quality of services, accelerate the modernization of the infrastructure necessary for sustainable economic growth,” said the Economy Ministry.