Within the framework of the SESRIC Project titled “Improving the Regulatory Framework for PPPs in Transport Sector in the OIC Member Countries”, which is funded by the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC) under the 9th Call for Project Proposals of COMCEC Project Funding, the Centre organised a Workshop on “Regulatory Framework for Public-Private Partnerships in Transport Sector” on 18-19 October 2022 through an online video conferencing platform.

The workshop brought together 74 senior-level officials from public PPP authorities as well as the relevant Ministries responsible for executing national PPP strategies and policies in the transport area in 23 OIC Member Countries. The workshop included country experience-sharing sessions where representatives from the relevant national institutions of Albania, Bangladesh, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan and Türkiye highlighted the best practices and initiatives of their respective countries in this domain. Moreover, representatives from private sector institutions shared their views and perspectives on PPP projects, including their engagement with public authorities, investment decisions in the transport sector and risk management in PPP projects.

The main objective of the workshop was to provide an opportunity for the senior-level officials from public PPP authorities to learn, share and exchange knowledge and best practices as well as to explore cooperation opportunities in order to develop a robust regulatory framework for PPPs in the OIC Member Countries. The work programme included presentations and case studies from the member countries as well as discussion sessions on different aspects of PPP projects such as the project preparation phase (reasons for PPP, feasibility studies, VfM analysis), project implementation phase (tender process, financing, construction, implementation etc.), Institutional Capacity for PPP Model (legal framework, PPP unit structure, auditing and monitoring mechanism etc.) and perspectives of the private sector. The workshop also contributed to producing a repository document that includes the best practices and success stories from the participating countries in order to strengthen the regulatory framework for implementing effective PPP projects in the OIC Member Countries.

The workshop commenced with the opening remarks of Mr. Onur ÇAĞLAR, Director of Training and Technical Cooperation Department at SESRIC, who emphasized the role of PPPs in leveraging private capital, improving efficiencies, and managing and developing the transportation infrastructure and services. He stated that PPP projects are complex arrangements that need to be implemented with proper due diligence and attention to the best practices in order to address infrastructure challenges in the transport sector and take advantage of opportunities in this field. Before concluding his remarks, he thanked the COMCEC Coordination Office, PPP authorities and the relevant Ministries responsible for executing national PPP strategies and policies in the OIC Member Countries and Istanbul PPP Centre of Excellence for their continuous support and cooperation throughout the implementation of the project and its activities.

The COMCEC Coordination Office (CCO) introduced in 2013 the COMCEC Project Funding (CPF), a financing mechanism that funds projects submitted by the Member Countries and relevant OIC Institutions to realise the strategic objectives and outcomes of the COMCEC Strategy. The funding is provided in the form of a grant through the Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye, which is one of the main bodies in the COMCEC Project Funding scheme. Since the initiation of the CPF, SESRIC has implemented seven projects under various cooperation areas and in accordance with sectoral themes determined by the CCO. For more details about SESRIC projects funded by the COMCEC, please visit: https://www.sesric.org/tcd-activities-projects-funded.php

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