PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (23 January 2024) — The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Centre in Papua New Guinea (PNG) welcomes the new framework for public-private partnerships (PPPs) developed in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This framework is a significant step towards unlocking private investment and expertise, enabling PNG to enhance and expand infrastructure service delivery.

The development of this new framework was made possible with the invaluable support of ADB’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI). It establishes a transparent and robust process for identifying, developing, procuring, and implementing infrastructure PPPs in PNG. A key feature of the framework is the establishment of a governance structure to oversee the PPP process, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Additionally, the framework introduces the PPP Centre as a centre of expertise, working closely with sponsoring agencies to develop PPP projects. This collaborative approach enhances the capacity to deliver successful PPPs that meet the country’s infrastructure needs effectively.

Mr. Charles Turi, the acting CEO of the PPP Centre, commented, “The PPP framework represents a significant milestone in our efforts to mobilize private sector participation in infrastructure development in the country. By creating a transparent and predictable environment for PPPs, we aim to attract quality investments and drive tangible improvements in the provision of Infrastructure and service delivery.”

Under the new framework, infrastructure investments will undergo rigorous assessments to determine their suitability for PPP procurement. This process ensures that PPP transactions are conducted transparently and competitively, with a focus on mitigating project risks.

“PPPs offer numerous benefits, including enhanced service delivery, cost efficiencies for businesses, and improved government financial management,” remarked Mr. Said Zaidansyah, ADB Country Director for PNG. “ADB is committed to supporting PPP implementation in the Pacific, and we are delighted to see the new framework operational.”

The activation of the framework follows the recent publication of the Public Private Partnership Regulation 2023 and the Public Private Partnership (Amendment) Act in the National Gazette. These developments align with PNG’s broader state-owned enterprise reform program, supported in part by an ADB policy-based loan and implemented with the assistance of PSDI.

Australian Acting High Commissioner to PNG, Ms. Joanne Loundes, praised PNG’s progress in achieving key reform milestones. “PNG has tremendous potential for private sector investment in infrastructure, and Australia, through our support for PSDI, is committed to assisting in the delivery of essential services to the people of Papua New Guinea,” she stated.

The PPP Centre, established in 2023, continues to work towards fostering an enabling environment for PPPs, driving economic growth, and promoting sustainable development in Papua New Guinea.