CSC Hosts Workshop on PPP Experiences in KSA and UK

The Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) hosted a joint Saudi-British workshop, organized by the Saudi-British Business Council, on Public-Private Partnership in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, attended by a number of companies from both sides and government officials from the Kingdom.

The workshop reviewed the noticeable progress in the PPP program in Saudi Arabia, and discussed opportunities for cooperation and exchange of expertise in this regard. It also discussed the Saudi privatization program and the opportunities it offers for cooperation between the two Kingdoms. Attendees had the opportunity to review the lessons learned from the UK’s PPP experience, and the main factors that should be addressed when entering into a PPP.

The workshop included discussions on capacity building, picking the right technical solutions, reasonable project costs, risk management, foundations of commercial structure, regulatory and legal challenges, and opportunities for technical and trade cooperation between the Saudi and British side. In addition to a presentation on investment opportunities in transportation and healthcare.

Chairperson of the Saudi side of the joint business council, Eng. Nasser Al Motawa, noted the significance of the workshop for Saudi-British partnerships in seeking best practices to implement all technical, financial and legislative aspects of a PPP, adding that the outcome of such endeavor will be presented to the British side to have their feedback considering the UK’s expertise as one of the leading countries in this field.

Al Motawa explained that what distinguishes this workshop is the participation of various government bodies, including the Ministry of Housing, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Municipality and Rural Affairs, and Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority. In addition to leading British companies representing various sectors, and members of the executive committee and the Saudi side of the Saudi-British Business Council.

The workshop included extensive discussions on planning, financing, implementing, and operating projects, and reviewed PPP examples to ensure implementing them at the highest quality possible, technically and planning-wise, while benefiting from transferring knowledge and technology. In addition to risk distribution between the public and private sectors, and developing legal and regulatory frameworks.