Ministry seeks private sector role in transport projects

Developing a strategy to undertake transport projects under a new private sector participation (PSP) model was the theme of a workshop the Ministry of Transport and Communications held with multiple public and private stakeholders.The aim was to leverage capital and efficiencies associated with the private sector in delivering excellent transport infrastructure projects.The workshop, which mulled over a project on “Private Sector Participation Strategy for Qatar’s Transport Sector”, was attended by representatives from the ministry, Qatar Chamber, relevant government entities, mobility and transportation industry, several private sector companies and financial institutions.The workshop sought to understand preferences and views of all these entities for the best execution and outcome of the project.It also reflects the considerable attention the Qatari leadership pays to the regulation, standards, policies and programmes that help encourage larger private sector participationin national projects.The project aims to increase private sector participation in Qatar’s transport sector, attract more of its investments, develop a PSP Strategy and Framework for the transport sector at a national level, and understand transport sector’s readiness to receive such participation.It also aims to drive private sector’s investment into mobility and transport projects by creating a chain of potential projects where the private sector could step into and contribute.The aforementioned PSP Framework is going to cover all modes of transport including rail, marine, bus, taxi and aviation. The aim of this consultancy project is to identify potential PSP projects, produce a policy framework and strategy to address challenges and capitalise on opportunities.The project that was reviewed at the workshop also includes studying a ‘pilot’ project for implementation under the PSP Framework. The ministry is set to finalise that strategy before the end of this year.