EDB names best practices in PPP legislation  in Eurasian countries 

ArmInfo.  The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) jointly with the World Association of PPP Units & Professionals EECA Chapter  (WAPPP) conducted a webinar on the materials of the EDB cross-country review dedicated to  recent developments in public-private partnership (PPP) legislation in  EDB member countries. As reported by the press service of the EDB, the study allowed to identify both best practices and "bottlenecks" that  can negatively affect the inflow of investments into the countries of  the region.

The EDB team has analyzed the legislation of 6 countries: Armenia,  Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, and  identified uniformity in legislative norms regarding the evaluation  and selection of PPP projects, rules for conducting tender  procedures, etc. Some practices and norms have previously proven   effective and have been included in the PPP legislation of other  countries. This  gradual formation of a barrier-free space for  cross-border PPP projects  will have a positive impact on the entire  region as a whole. However, there are still differences in government  support measures among the reviewed countries, in approaches to  providing guarantees to investors and creditors, and in some other  issues. According to the results of surveys of investors and  creditors, these differences could  be potential barriers to  attracting foreign investment. There is a need for harmonization of  procedures for the preparation and implementation of PPP projects,  according to the EDB.

 "Practice has shown that countries with a reliable legal framework  for PPP have greater opportunities to attract private financing for  critical infrastructure projects, allowing budget resources to be  freed up  for other important state tasks. The exchange of best PPP  practices among EDB member countries, along with the development of  intercountry projects of this type, can promote economic development   throughout Central Asia," Svetlana Maslova, Director for  Public-Private Partnership Projects, noted. 

Currently, almost 5,000 PPP projects are operating in varying degrees  of implementation in  EDB member countries The EDB identifies  digitalization as one of the trends in the development of  public-private partnership tools, with efforts already underway to  create digital platforms in  EDB member states. Another potential  direction for PPP  development  in these countries is  enhancing  protection of foreign investment.  The assessment conducted as part   of the review involved 50 leading experts from EDB member countries,  who evaluated projects according to 7 criteria and 22 indicators. The  Bank plans to continue activities to support member states in  developing their legal and institutional environment.