British firms eye PPP projects

MANILA, Philippines - British companies are eyeing to invest in the country’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects as part of the British government’s support to the Aquino administration’s infrastructure push.

The British embassy, through UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), gathered experts from British firms companies to share their experience and expertise in every aspect of the PPP programme, including sustainable infrastructure.

The move is part of a trade mission with British firms keen on getting involved in the development of PPP projects in the Philippines and within the region.

British Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Lillie said British companies have vast experience in PPP projects.

“We have a wide and expert range of top quality British companies with experience of PPP right from the start – from the project design, the financing, the legal issues, to the delivery, the engineering , construction – to the end of the project, to the operation and management,“ he said.

In seminar organized by the embassy last week, over 100 participants from industry associations, project developers and contractors, financial institutions and government agencies discussed different aspects of the PPP program.

Representatives from various companies participated in the event and provided insights on many aspects of the PPP process.

These companies include PWC Professional Advisors Inc, P & A - Grant Thornton, Baker & McKenzie (Quisumbing Torres), Ashurst LLP, Pinsent Masons LLP, HSBC, Halcrow, Atkins Global, SERCO and Tony Gee.

For its part, the PPP Centre said it welcomes partnerships from different governments.

“We look forward to dialogue and to hear inputs and suggestions as we acknowledge UK’s expertise and experience on PPP and infrastructure in general. Our projects need experience and high-calibre professional service firms or organisations in the areas of infrastructure and development project packaging and structuring, financing and delivery, transaction advisory, consulting and other similar or related activities,” said Cosette Canilao, executive director of the PPP Centre.