PPP centers to fuel infrastructure development in Asia Pacific

ILOILO CITY — Establishing public-private partnership (PPP) centers in Asia Pacific countries will fuel infrastructure development in the region, said Canadian Ambassador Neil Reeder on Thursday during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meet here.

Reeder, who is also co-chair for APEC PPP Experts Advisory Panel, said the Philippines’ successful PPP Center now becomes the model for the ASEAN and the APEC regions.

“The Philippines chooses to advance its infrastructure development through the PPP Center. The Philippines adapted successful practices and its practices are now being adapted by other economies in the region,” he said.

Following the country’s establishment of PPP center are Indonesia and China while it can further adapt best PPP practices from Canada which is one of the most successful in the region, the envoy cited.

He mentioned that the Canadian government has provided USD4.2 million to the Philippines’ PPP Center for its capacity building.

“I do congratulate the government of the Philippines,” Reeder said. “President (Benigno) Aquino (III) government has done a remarkable PPP Center.”

The PPP Center was created to facilitate the implementation of the country’s PPP projects to accelerate development particularly in infrastructure sector.

Moreover, the Canadian envoy mentioned that APEC’s workshop on infrastructure financing and capital market development happening in Iloilo City from July 23 to 24 has stirred “tremendous interest in the PPP concept and tremendous interest from private sector in assisting PPP projects.”

Reeder mentioned that at least US$ 3.0 trillion is needed to fund infrastructure development in Asia Pacific.

“The demand is huge,” he noted.

“All these economies are now trying how to advance infrastructure projects and infrastructure process,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Canadian envoy said the Philippines hosting of APEC is a big opportunity to bring the Asia Pacific region to the country which will support the government’s move in positioning the country as an investment destination.

In particular, the PPP Center is now looking for private partners for the expansion of the Iloilo International Airport.

The PPP Center is also in talks with the local government of Iloilo City for a rail project that will decongest the traffic in the city and also to link the city to other parts of Iloilo.

A government center is also being eyed here where all government offices will be located in one area.