Infrastructure Project Development Facility (IPDF) and Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a multifaceted partnership in areas ranging from capacity development to urban infrastructure investment within the ambit of Public Private Partnerships (PPP).
The MoU was signed by Adil Anwar, Chief Executive Officer IPDF, Dr Michael Lindfield, Programme Manager CDIA-ADB and Dr Emiel Wegelin, Programme Co-ordinator GIZ (German Development Agency) after the Board of CDIA approved IPDF as a National Partner Organisation in Pakistan.
According to IPDF officials, the MoU envisages a long and fruitful relationship where both organisations work together to further their goals of supporting urban infrastructure development in cities of Pakistan. It will cover a wide array of joint co-operation activities with utilisation of technical and human resources of both the organisations. CDIA has already been actively working with the City District Government in Faisalabad (CDGF) within the field of urban infrastructure.
According to officials after entering into a partnership with IPDF, the sphere of activity will be extended to other cities in Pakistan and will lead to economic development by promoting private sector investment in infrastructure projects in the cities of Pakistan. CDIA based in Manila is a regional initiative established in 2007 by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Germany with additional support of the Governments of Sweden, Spain and Austria to provide assistance to medium sized.
Asian cities to bridge the gap between their development plans and the implementation of their infrastructure investment IPDF, the central Public Private Partnership unit established under the Ministry of Finance, is mandated to assist line ministries and other government agencies in the structuring of their infrastructure projects on PPP basis. IPDF has also been actively involved in the formulation of various PPP guidelines and Pakistan's PPP Policy, which was approved by the Government of Pakistan last year. IPDF boasts an impressive project pipeline covering a variety of sectors and has recently launched a solid waste management project in Faisalabad as well as a Pakistan Railways track access project for private sector participation.-PR