Asian Development Bank's Country Director Meets Chief Minister's Advisor to Discuss Public-Private Partnerships

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Country Director Asian Development Bank Ms Xiaohong Yang called on Dr. Salman Shah, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Economic Affairs, Planning & Development and appreciated the efforts of the Punjab Government for facilitating Public-Private Partnerships in the province through establishing the PPP Authority. Punjab Chairman P&D Board Habib-ur-Rehman Gilani, Member PPP Dr. Farrukh Naveed, Administrative Secretaries and an expert team of the Asian Development Bank also attended the meeting.

On the occasion, Advisor to CM Dr. Salman Shah highlighted agriculture, services, manufacturing, skills and service delivery to the public as key priorities for the government of the Punjab.

He also informed the team on the composition of PPP Board under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister and how the government has already approved projects worth 10-billion rupees in PPP mode in its maiden meeting. He further added that the PPP authority has been established just for the purpose of making processes and approvals easy for the private sector and the long term plan is to make the authority self-sufficient in funding to avoid delays. He also added that the authority will prepare a three year business plan for Punjab and work closely with the Chief Minister office to create a suitable ecosystem as well as market for PPP projects in Punjab and to gain the confidence of the private sector to participate in the process.

Dr. Salman Shah highlighted areas where ADB can provide support and build capacity within institutions of the Government of Punjab like contract management, financial frameworks, and building staff capability.

Country Director ADB Ms. Yang, on the occasion, appreciated the efforts of the Government of Punjab in supporting and facilitating Public Private Partnerships and promised full support of the bank in taking the economic growth agenda of the Punjab government forward.