Govt places Public Private Partnership Authority under Privatisation Division for ‘better coordination’

ISLAMABAD: The government has made a decision regarding the Public Private Partnership Authority (P3A). The authority will be moved from the Planning Division to the Privatisation Division so that “greater coordination and efficiency can be ensured regarding the PPP ventures”.

As per an official statement, the Ministry of Economic Affairs was headed by Minister Ahad Cheema. This is because he had called upon stakeholders for a high-level consultation meeting to discuss important reforms being proposed in relation to the P3A Act, which would help improve governance and make implementation mechanisms more efficient regarding PPP ventures.

It may be noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had constituted a committee for the Economic Affairs minister to develop reforms for the P3A. The purpose was to bring transparency in the process of PPP projects and their implementation.

At the consultation meeting, Minister Ahad Cheema had highlighted the determination of the government to bring about constructive reforms in institutional performance regarding PPP projects.

It also highlighted that the session reviewed the proposal of the amendment in the law of P3A to help improve the framework of PPPs in the country.

"The meeting was informed that under the proposal, the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation will be strengthened; meanwhile, P3A will also focus on implementation and execution of the project," it mentioned.

In addition, it was noted during the discussion that, "as per directives by the Prime Minister, Mr. Shehbaz Sharif, P3A will come under the Privatisation Division rather than the Planning Division for better coordination, institutional coherence and efficient management of PPPs," it read in the statement.

Further, it mentioned that the new proposals would involve the establishment of an institutionalized project pipeline and bidding system to ensure project planning and investor confidence.

"Project development and bidding will also promote the involvement of Business Councils/Chambers in developing pipelines of projects," it read.

Moreover, the handout mentioned that a Project Development Facility would also be established to help prepare and execute effective PPPs.

"It was also informed that the reform will help establish efficient troubleshooting, monitoring systems, and advisory role in relation to PPP projects," it concluded.