By Glory Msowoya, MANA
Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) Communications and Information Systems Manager, Emily Kwatani has reiterated need for concerted efforts in support of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the country.
This comes as PPPC in conjunction with Ministry of Finance in partnership with Africa Public Private Partnerships network plans to hold a three-day high-Level International conference aimed at bringing experts together to discuss issues bordering on energy, tourism, transport and information communications technology.
The Conference is expected to take place in Lilongwe at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), from February 24 to 26, 2020 under the theme of Public Private Partnerships Malawi’s Next Big Thing.
She told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday that the event has been organized with an aim of dealing with some of the challenges that the country face in line to achieve the sustainable development goals.
“Africa is a huge continent with good natural resources however, the continent struggles with limited infrastructure for example in Malawi infrastructure needs is estimated to be US$ 130 to 170 billion, and currently government funds available for infrastructure are at between USD 68 to US$ 108 billion per annum.
“The Conference will bring together PPP Practitioners and leaders close to 300 across the globe into one room to think through solutions for infrastructure development in Malawi,” she said.
Kwatani highlighted that the country would benefit a lot in terms of searching for potential private sector investment, capacity building on preparation of Bankable projects, networking opportunity and to get lower tariff charges by investors just to mention but a few.
“Private sector investment of around K141 billion will be realized from this High-Level Conference, Prospective financiers will attend the conference, and this will allow Malawian investors to access long term financing which will promote Malawian participation in PPP projects,”
“There will be opportunities for high level networking, exhibitions, deal flows and exposure on possible solutions for infrastructure development during the conference,” she added.
The Plan for Africa Public Private Partnerships Network in 2020 includes a High-Level Africa conference in Nigeria and country specific events in the following countries; Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and islands in the Indian Ocean Comoros, Madagascar, Seychelles and Mauritius.
