Pacific Discusses Public Private Partnerships For Growth

Pacific Discusses Public Private Partnerships For Local Economic Growth

PRESS RELEASES:30 May 2012

[Nadi, Fiji – May 30] Partnerships, win-win situations, business opportunities as well as engaged and accountable stakeholders are some of the key elements of a successful Public Private Partnership model.

This was highlighted at the first day of the Regional Roundtable on Promoting Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for Local Economic Development in the Pacific, currently underway in Nadi.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Knut Ostby, who delivered opening remarks at the Roundtable said that the achievement of economic and social development at the local level results from a partnership between local government, business and community interests.

“Public-Private Partnerships is based on the recognition that both the public and private sectors can benefit by pooling together their financial resources, know-how, and expertise in the delivery of basic services to all citizens. Successful private enterprises create wealth, jobs and improved living standards in local communities. Private enterprises, however, depend on favourable local business conditions which include a clearly defined framework, a transparent and inclusive process and most importantly financial sustainability to achieve prosperity. Local governments have an essential role in creating favourable environments for business success and job creation,” said Mr Ostby.

The Roundtable is attended by more than 90 private sector representatives, national and local government officials, development partners and members of the civil society from around the Pacific. It will explore how partnerships between the public and private sectors can lead to economic growth on a local level. Experiences from the Caribbean, New Zealand, Philippines, Bangladesh and Nepal will be shared at the meeting

“Our key aim of hosting the roundtable is to create awareness and explore options with Pacific Island Countries of the potential for introducing innovative reforms in procurement and public service delivery which will improve local economic development. In doing so, it will be important to reflect on the specific conditions existing in each of the Pacific island countries represented here today and consider options that best meet the specific needs of countries in this part of the world. We will hear from the experience of others from outside the Pacific but in doing so it will be important that we consider how these ideas can be adjusted and put to good use here in the Pacific,” said Mr Ostby.

The Roundtable is organized by UNDP through the Pacific Centre and the Asia Pacific Regional Centre in Bangkok, in partnership with the Commonwealth Local Government Forum, the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation and the Pacific Leadership Programme.

Eight Pacific Island countries - Fiji, Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are represented at the Roundtable.

ENDS

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