Private Sector Participation in Infrastructure: A Central and West Asia Business-Government Roundtable

2 May 2009 (4:00-6:00 pm)

The infrastructure deficit throughout Central and West Asia is significant and growing. Public sector investment and funding from official sources can only address a portion of the substantial requirements. Developing countries in the subregion are faced with the challenge of finding private sector equity and/or credit to bridge their infrastructure financing gaps.

At the same time, firms with interest in infrastructure have manifold options for where to invest. Not only is the developing world actively seeking new private sources of finance for infrastructure, local and national governments in the developed world aspire to draw private firms to rehabilitate and/or manage key infrastructure assets. Accordingly, developing countries need to appreciate the changing global context that infrastructure managers and financiers consider in making their investment decisions.

The Roundtable will bring together senior policy makers and business leaders to share views on attracting private sector financing for infrastructure in Central and West Asia. A panel from the private sector will kick off the discussion with their views on the question: "What will it take for my firm to invest in infrastructure in Central and West Asia?". A moderated discussion among policy makers and business leaders is expected to highlight the major constraints to larger private sector involvement in the subregion, particularly in the water, power and transport sectors, and how to best address such concerns.

Note: All times are in GMT+08. For inquiries, e-mail: amseminars@adb.org.