Dubai: MEED is set to host the second edition of its MENA PPP Virtual Think Tank, a one-day virtual summit bringing together a number of key stakeholders to discuss Public Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks. Taking place on Wednesday, 30 June 2021 from 9:30AM onwards, the summit will welcome a number of influential speakers from Ministry of Electricity & Water, Kuwait, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia, Dubai Health Authority and more.

Given falling oil prices and economic pressures from COVID-19, there has been an increasing strain on government budgets, presenting an opportunity for private companies to join forces with the government to build ambitious yet feasible projects. From social projects, to municipal and transport projects, there are a range of opportunities for sectors and projects for governments and the private sector to collaborate. According to MEED’s 2020 report on PPP in the MENA region, there are 242 PPP projects worth an estimated $232bn currently being developed. It is also promising to note that nine out of 14 countries in the region now have a PPP law and dedicated PPP unit in place.

Following an incredible reception of the inaugural MENA PPP Virtual Think Tank which saw over 700 attendees, MEED has put together an immersive agenda for its 2021 event, with interactive panel discussions, fireside chats, and breakout sessions with industry leaders. The summit aims to provide viewers with an understanding of the regulatory frameworks for PPP, along with an opportunity to connect with an influential community of experts committed to boost infrastructure development in the MENA region.

Richard Thompson, Editorial Director, MEED said, “The Mena PPP Virtual Think Tank is a must-attend event for anyone doing business in the Middle East and North Africa,” says MEED editorial director Richard Thompson. “Expanding the role of the private sector in the delivery of public services and infrastructure is the most important area of opportunity for business in the Middle East. Whether it is providing electricity, operating schools, or maintaining street lighting, privatisation and public private partnerships (PPP) are providing major new opportunities for investors, developers, contractors, manufacturers and operators. There are long-term financing opportunities for banks, and high-value advisory roles for lawyers and consultants. And, in world where digital data technology is essential to improving efficiency and reducing energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, there are huge opportunities for technology providers.”

“But PPP is still an emerging sector,” says Thompson. “And it is introducing many new challenges, particularly in regulation and policy. The MENA PPP Virtual Think Tank brings together key regional stakeholders from government and the private sector to identify the PPP opportunity in the Mena region. And to understand the PPP challenges. Attendees will have a chance to network with peers in the industry and discuss collaborative and innovative approaches to delivering key projects, to harness alternative models for project financing, and, ultimately, to pave the way for a better quality of life in the region.”

Mohamed Al Dhaheri, Head of Infrastructure Partnerships, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, UAE will deliver the keynote opening address on unlocking the development of future PPP projects post pandemic. This will be followed by an update on the MENA PPP Project landscape by MEED. The first panel discussion at the summit will explore how PPP contracts can fuel economic recovery in the Middle East region, how the pandemic is changing the PPP landscape, and what opportunities will be available for the private sector post COVID-19. Speakers from Ministry of Finance (Oman), Government of Dubai's Department of Finance (UAE), World Association of PPP Units & Professionals, and International Finance Corporation will participate in this panel.

Through the duration of the virtual summit, viewers can tune into three sector specific breakout tracks - Energy and Water Infrastructure, Transport Infrastructure, and Social Infrastructure. The first breakout track on energy and water infrastructure will bring together experts specialising in electricity, water, desalination, sewage treatment, renewables, and energy diversification projects in the MENA region. These will include dignitaries and decision makers from Rakiza (Oman Infrastructure Development), Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC), Ministry of Electricity & Water (Kuwait), Ministry of Finance (Egypt). As part of the transport infrastructure session, speakers from Ministry of Works (Bahrain), Arab Consulting Engineers (Egypt), Baxter International (USA), and Istanbul PPP Center of Excellence, CoE (Turkey) will explore how the private sector can get involved in road, rail, metro, airport, ports and smart transportation projects. 

The virtual summit will conclude with a third breakout track on social infrastructure bringing together industry experts specialising in housing, healthcare, food security, education, cultural and municipality projects in the MENA region. For the first panel session in this track, speakers from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Authority for Partnerships Projects (KAPP), GHD (UAE), Levant Sustainability & PPP Solutions Co. Ltd (Jordan) will talk about housing, real estate development and food security needed for sustainable urban city development. For the second one, speakers from GE Healthcare, Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Ministry of Health (Saudi Arabia) and Health Sector Transformation Programme (Saudi Arabia) will speak about the challenges of long-term financing for healthcare PPP projects and opportunities that are available in this landscape. Each of the panel sessions will include time for live Q&A and discussion with the leading industry experts

The MENA PPP Virtual Think Tank is supported by our partners ACE Consulting Engineers Moharram Bakoum, GE Healthcare, GHD and Saudi Water Partnership Company.