Partnerships
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Over 400 civil servants and representatives of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) attended a seminar on Public Private Partnerships (PPP) at the Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre today (September 14).
The one-day seminar was held to provide the participants with a basic understanding of key PPP concepts such as risk allocation, project financing, legal issues, and establishing a business case.
Mr David Pao, the Deputy Head of the Efficiency Unit of the Chief Secretary's Office, which organised the seminar, said: "As more and more civil servants and NGOs are becoming involved in considering or developing PPP projects, they need to be suitably equipped. Public and private sectors also need to speak the same language."
A similar seminar held in July this year was heavily over-subscribed. This seminar was organised to meet the unfulfilled demand.
"PPPs are different from privatisation, which involves the permanent transfer of ownership," Mr Pao said.
"It is not about 'business collusion' either. For PPP projects, we stipulate the required project outcomes and monitor the contractors' performance throughout the life of the contract. All these projects go through a stringent, open, transparent and competitive procurement process with selection based on merit and value for money."
Speakers at the seminar included experienced practitioners from both the private sector and the Efficiency Unit. The concepts acquired at the seminar will provide a firm basis for attendees' further understanding of the complex nuances involved in PPPs.
The Efficiency Unit organises a regular series of training seminars for civil servants on different aspects of PPPs and outsourcing. Since April 2004, 12 seminars have been organised and more than 1,500 civil servants have taken part.
To enhance communications and provide networking opportunities, interested parties from the private sector have also been invited to attend these seminars.
Ends/Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Issued at HKT 16:01
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