Cambodia and Australia partner on Public-Private Partnerships

This week, Cambodia and Australia held the first of three capacity building workshops on public-private partnerships (PPP) for around 70 senior officials. The purpose of the workshops is to support the effective development and implementation of PPP projects.

The workshop was presided over by H.E. Meas Soksensan, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, on behalf of H.E. Akka Pundit Sopheacha Aun Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Finance, and Mr Andreas Zurbrugg, Australia’s Deputy Ambassador to Cambodia.

The capacity building program was developed by the Australian Government’s Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) initiative, in close collaboration with Cambodia’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), and provides practical guidance on developing and implementing PPP projects. It has been tailored to Cambodia’s implementation of the PPP Management Framework which includes the PPP Law, Sub Decree on the standard operating procedures for PPP projects and supporting guidelines.

Held 3 to 6 October, the first workshop focused on the early stages of developing PPPs and included sessions on the PPP project cycle, policies, procedures and guidelines on implementing effective and efficient PPPs.

Mr Zurbrugg noted that Australia has vast experience in delivering PPP models to support the construction, maintenance, and operation of major infrastructure assets.

“Australia has a well-developed framework for delivering complex infrastructure projects, including through public-private partnerships. This workshop draws on both Australian and international best practice in PPP policy design and project delivery, but tailors it to Cambodia’s situation,” Mr Zurbrugg said.

Australian experts from Transport for New South Wales, Infrastructure Victoria and New South Wales Treasury presented during the workshop series. Australian private sector expertise is also being provided by Ernst & Young.

MEF Secretary of State H.E. Meas Soksensan said “the workshops seek to enhance the knowledge and skills of government officials who will be involved in leveraging private sector expertise on complex infrastructure projects to drive our nation’s development. The delivery of this capacity building workshop is critical to the implementation of our PPP Management Framework which the Royal Government has put in place over the past many years.”

“PPPs can help Cambodia attract more private sector investment in infrastructure and contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic development,” added H.E. Meas Soksensan.

The remaining workshops in the coming months will cover the procurement process for PPPs, including financing, contracting and management, as well as the focus on gender equality and social inclusion, and disaster risk reduction and climate change.