Feasibility study is the focus at the third session of Public Private Partnership programme

The third session of the PPP programme was held at the iconic Qanat Al Qasba.

The programme is conducted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah and the Honorary Chairman of Sharjah Tatweer Forum.

Over thirty participants, who include heads of various government departments and senior executives from private sector organisations, have been invited to be part of this year's PPP programme.

The programme aims to foster public private partnership and encourages the private sector to play a greater role in the economic and social development activities in Sharjah as well as promote the opportunities in the emirate in the fields of culture, commerce, industry and tourism. It is aimed at promoting closer working relationships and sharing of best practices between organisations from both public and private sectors.

Mr. Edward White of the Washington, DC-headquartered The Institute for Public Private Partnerships (IP3) talked in detail on Feasibility Studies for PPP.

The Feasibility Study, said Mr. White, forms a critical part of any PPP project. The study apart from providing information about costs, allows for the identification, quantification, mitigation and allocation of risks. The study prompts to consider how the project will be structured and identifies that may cause the project to be halted and ensure that the project is developed around a proper business plan, he added.

In another session, senior executives from Booz Allen Hamilton, a global strategy and technology consulting firm, discussed the need for developing the right strategies for the success of any PPP initiative. The executives provided examples of successful PPP projects undertaken in different parts of the world, and stressed the need to develop best practices.

Booz Allen Hamilton provides services to the world's leading corporations, government and other public agencies, emerging growth companies, and institutions.

Later, the participants discussed the progress of their project initiatives with their group members. Each group is working towards putting forward a proposal of initiatives or projects that they believe benefit the emirate or Sharjah.

Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a participant representing the public sector, said: "The PPP programme of the Sharjah Tatweer Forum has indeed brought the public and private sectors to share a common platform and work towards realizing common objectives. This is a one of its kind initiative and will bear fruitful results in the days to come."

Mr. Lalu Samuel, Managing Director, Clipsal, a participant representing the private sector, said: "I am honoured to be invited to participate in this programme. The sessions have been informative and interactive, providing participants the opportunity to put across their views. I am happy that the Sharjah Tatweer Forum has taken the initiative to bring together public and private sectors to jointly work towards the betterment of society at large."

The third session of the programme was moderated by Mr. Hussain Al Mahmoudi, Chairman, Sharjah Tatweer Forum.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Al Mahmoudi said: "We are grateful to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi for his vision and support in helping the
Forum achieves its goals and objectives. The Public Private Partnership programme is aimed at sharing best practices between the two sectors and further work jointly towards developing solutions and services for the betterment of the community."

He added: "We are very pleased with the enthusiasm and commitment shown by the participants of the PPP programme. The participants, and their organizations, during the three sessions of the programme have demonstrated that they are committed to the development of Sharjah. We are certain that the Public Private Partnership programme will lead to many joint initiatives in Sharjah and also develop a combined approach to the overall development of the emirate' competitive levels."

du, the new telecommunications company in the UAE, is a supporter of the Public Private Partnership programme of the Sharjah Tatweer Forum.

The Sharjah Tatweer Forum has contracted The Institute of Public Private Partnerships (IP3) to undertake its PPP programme. The IP3 has managed hundreds of PPP training programmes in more than 45 countries around the world. The Institute has undertaken more than 70 training programmes in the field of Public Private Partnerships in the Middle East. Amongst the numerous international organisations that have benefited from the training and consultancy services provided by IP3 include the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Bank, the European Commission and the UNICEF.

The PPP programme being conducted by Sharjah Tatweer Forum will run until May 2008. The programme will include activities ranging from field visits, analytical exercises and team-work in addition to expert lectures.