Doha, 10 May 2011
QFC Authority and Georgetown University oversee completion of a report into PPPs in Qatar
The Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFC Authority) as part of its on-going relationship and commitment to furthering education and research in Qatar has supported the production of a report into Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) by students from Georgetown University. The completed research entitled “Public-Private Partnerships: How Can Qatar Benefit?” was officially handed over to the QFC Authority today (10th May 2011).
The report was written by Mohamed Ahmed Saif Al Thani and Jumana Al Aref, both graduates of Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, in the class of 2011. The report was funded through a UREP grant with the content overseen by Dr Alexis Antoniades, an economics professor at Georgetown University and Khalique Gharatkar, Senior Business Analyst at the QFC Authority.
Khalique Gharatkar, said: "This project is part of QFCA’s on-going effort towards encouraging young Qatari graduates’ interest in the financial services sector. In line with Qatar’s Vision 2030 to build a knowledge-based economy, we are proud to play our part, and look forward to supporting more studies of similar nature, as they provide students’ with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the financial services sector."
The report looks at different models of Public-Private Partnerships used worldwide and at the potential for PPPs in Qatar. It concludes that, with US$85 billion of projects in the pipeline (source: MEED Projects) of which more than 50% are infrastructure projects, there is considerable potential for the execution of PPP projects in Qatar. The research highlights that major infrastructure projects such as the Qatar National Railway System and the New Doha Port development exhibit properties which make them suitable for PPPs and identifies sports, education and healthcare as non-infrastructure sectors which could be suitable for this expanding form of joint private and public sector funding.
Dr Alexis Antoniades of Georgetown University commented: “Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) combine the expertise of the public and private partners in infrastructure projects. Through the appropriate allocation of resources, risks, and rewards, and by aligning incentives, PPP projects offer cost, time, and quality improvements over similar projects done under the traditional procurement process. Given Qatar's growing infrastructure needs, and the large planned spending associated with Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-2016 and Qatar National Vision 2030, PPPs can be extremely beneficial for the country".
Qatar Financial Centre Authority
Stephen Carriere
Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications
Qatar Financial Centre Authority
Tel: +974 496 7784 - email: s.carriere@qfc.com.qa
www.qfc.com.qa
About QFC
The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is a financial and business centre established by the Government of Qatar and located in Doha. It has been designed to attract international financial services institutions and major multi-national corporations in particular those operating in the reinsurance, captive insurance and asset management sectors and to encourage participation in the growing market for financial services in Qatar and elsewhere in the region. The QFC operates to international standards and provides a first class legal and business infrastructure for those operating within the QFC. The QFC was created by Qatar Law No. (7) and has been open for business since 1 May 2005.
QFC Authority
The QFC Authority is the commercial, administrative and legislative body responsible for leading the expansion of Qatar’s financial services sector, providing a uniquely sustainable platform for regional growth in reinsurance, captive insurance and asset management.
About Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar
Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Qatar builds on Georgetown’s tradition of educating future leaders in the international arena through an interdisciplinary liberal arts undergraduate program focused on international affairs. For more information about Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Qatar, visit http://qatar.sfs.georgetown.edu.