Public Private Partnership programme calls for setting up of a PPP Council in Sharjah

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 Public Private Partnership 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.

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the second Public Private Partnership programme of the Sharjah Tatweer Forum last month.

The second session was inaugurated by Her Highness Sheikha Bedour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Vice-Chairperson, Sharjah Ladies Club.

Her Highness welcomed the participants to the Club and briefed about the activities of Sharjah Ladies Club. She was grateful to the support 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 for the support provided to the Forum as well as to the various social, cultural and economic activities in the emirate.

In addition, Sheikha Bedour commended His Highness's emphasis on promoting the role of young leaders in the development process.

Mr. Cess Uijlenhoet, Vice President, Upstream Finance - Middle East, Caspian Sea and South Asia, Shell Group, talked in detail about the need of a strategic plan for every project, applicable to corporate, local or national level. He explained the need for partnerships between different sectors to achieve the objectives of any plan.

Mr. Edward White of the Washington, DC-headquartered The Institute for Public Private Partnerships (IP3) presented a paper on Designing Strategic Frameworks for PPP: Legal Prerequisites for Promoting Investment at today's session.

Later, the participants were placed in different groups with the objective of identifying and developing PPP focused projects. Each group will work towards putting forward a proposal of initiatives or projects that they believe benefit the emirate or Sharjah.

Al Waleed bin Khadim, Director General, Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA), a participant representing the public sector, said:

"The Public Private Partnership Programme of the Sharjah Tatweer Forum has provided for mutual understanding of the two sectors. We are certain that the Programme would lead to joint initiatives being implemented in Sharjah".

He added: "I am personally happy with the quality of discussion at the sessions and inputs being provided by IP3. I am glad that Sharjah Tatweer Forum has initiated such a platform for both public and private sector to interact and work towards building a better society".

Commenting on the Public Partnership Programme, Dr. Salah Tahir, Director General, Sharjah Municipality, another participant representing the public sector, said: "The programme provides an enriching experience. I am certain that initiatives such as this would lead to changing the way the government and the private sector interact. Such forums are also the ideal platform to understand the constraints and challenges of both the public and private sector".

The second 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: "The two sessions, including the one held today, have been informative and educative. The discussions between the participants have been an ideal platform to share concerns and learn from each other. 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".

As part of their orientation into the Sharjah Tatweer Forum, 10 members of the Forum attended the second session of the Public Private Partnership Programme.

Apart from rubbing shoulders with the chieftains of both the public and private sectors of Sharjah, the session also provided an opportunity to understand how the Forum goes about organizing its different activities.

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.