Norton Rose Fulbright launches innovative PPP risk tool with GI Hub

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, working in partnership with the Global Infrastructure Hub (GI Hub), has produced a tool for governments and stakeholders to assist in building a pipeline of viable public-private partnership (PPP) projects.

The GI Hub, based in Sydney, Australia, is an organisation established by the G20 group of nations to foster innovative approaches to global infrastructure development.

The report shows the allocation of risks between the public and private sectors in typical PPP transactions, along with related information on measures to mitigate issues and typical government support arrangements. It includes analysis of 12 types of projects within the transport, energy and water and sanitation sectors.

The primary focus is on those countries with limited or no prior experience of PPPs but is aimed at members and non-members of the G20, that wish to develop a program of PPP transactions to support the development and procurement of infrastructure.

Nick Merritt, global head of infrastructure, mining and commodities, Norton Rose Fulbright, comments:

“This is an important project which has seen collaboration from 13 of our offices to bring together insight that we have gained from over 20 years’ experience doing PPP deals around the world.  PPP is an effective platform through which critical economic and social infrastructure can be procured and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the GI Hub and make a contribution towards the delivery of infrastructure around the world.

“The overriding issue that governments and private companies face in PPP transactions is the allocation of risk, and how much each party should take on. The tool that we have developed with GI Hub deals with this and provides a useful source of information to assist governments with their understanding of typical PPP risk allocation arrangements.”

Mark Moseley at the GI Hub, comments:

“Risk allocation is at the centre of every PPP project. The tool which Norton Rose Fulbright has developed will help governments – especially those in emerging markets – design infrastructure projects which can successfully deliver high-quality infrastructure services which meet public needs.

The Norton Rose Fulbright team working on this included lawyers from London, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, Bangkok, Munich, Amsterdam, Bogota, Paris, Johannesburg, Ottawa, Calgary and New York.