Author: usman siddiqui

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched the ADB Azerbaijan Country Partnership strategy for 2025–2029. This marks a new chapter in its support for sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient development. Built on value creation, integration, and resilience, the strategy focuses on economic diversification, climate action, and social equity. Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector currently contributes just over 50% of GDP. To improve this, ADB will support green growth through reforms and targeted investments. The strategy emphasizes two areas: building a green, diversified economy and fostering low-carbon connectivity and inclusive growth. These align with Azerbaijan 2030. ADB aims to deliver tangible outcomes, such as…

South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corporation (IAAC) has emerged as the top-ranked bidder in the IAAC Montenegro PPP Bid, a major infrastructure tender awarding a 30-year concession to operate Montenegro’s two main airports, Podgorica and Tivat. This outcome marks a strategic expansion for IAAC, a public company under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, into the Balkans’ growing aviation sector. With this win, IAAC reinforces its reputation as a serious contender in the international public-private partnership (PPP) landscape. The concession includes operational control and upgrade responsibilities for both airports, which serve as critical gateways for tourism and commerce in…

The JICA and Georgetown Partnership has taken a major step to support Jordan’s infrastructure and development goals. On Monday, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Georgetown University in Qatar launched a technical cooperation project. The program aims to train Jordanian officials to develop, manage, and implement Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects with international standards. The program focuses on senior officials from ministries and public institutions. Georgetown University in Qatar will lead the delivery, using a faculty of seasoned experts. These professionals bring over 25 years of global experience working with governments and public sector institutions. The goal is to blend…

Jordan Qatar tourism cooperation advanced significantly this week during a high-level meeting in Amman. Jordan’s Minister of Tourism, Lina Annab, hosted Qatar Tourism Chairman Saad bin Ali Al Kharji and Visit Qatar CEO Abdulaziz Al-Mawlawi at the ministry headquarters. The visit came through an official invitation, aiming to foster bilateral tourism development and create a strategic partnership. In 2023, Jordan welcomed over 5.3 million tourists, while Qatar saw more than 4 million visitors, marking a 38% rise from the prior year. This growth demonstrates strong potential for collaboration. The two countries agreed to work on destination branding and tourism policy…

Dubai’s future-ready governance was the central theme at a recent high-level meeting led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. Held at Union House, the event drew citizens, business leaders, investors, ministers, and executives from both the public and private sectors. Sheikh Mohammed highlighted that the UAE’s development model, rooted in innovation, openness, and global competitiveness, remains strong under President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The focus of this session firmly aligned with the principles of Dubai innovation-driven development, showcasing the emirate’s efforts to blend strategic…

The Government of Uttar Pradesh has introduced a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative aimed at restoring and repurposing 11 historic forts and heritage buildings to preserve its rich architectural legacy. This project seeks to conserve centuries-old structures, promote tourism, and generate employment in heritage-rich but economically underdeveloped regions. The state tourism department has partnered with private entities that will finance, design, develop, operate, and maintain these sites. These developers will hand the restored assets back to the government after the concession period. This approach blends cultural preservation with sustainable development by leveraging private sector expertise and capital. The 11 sites selected…

Following the launch of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Baghdad International Airport PPP, the Iraqi government shortlisted ten international consortiums from a pool of fourteen applicants. After completing this qualification stage, the government has now launched the Request for Proposals (RFP), inviting the prequalified bidders to submit detailed technical and financial proposals. Bids are due by September 2025, and the project will be awarded to the bidder offering the highest share of annual gross revenue to the state. With this development, Iraq reaffirms its commitment to attracting private capital and modernizing its aviation sector. To ensure project transparency…

The Government of Ghana and the African Development Bank (AfDB) signed a Letter of Intent to co-develop this transformative corridor on July 3, 2025, in Accra. The Volta Economic Corridor PPP has emerged as a flagship initiative under Ghana’s bold infrastructure agenda. The project supports Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme (24H+), aiming to reposition Lake Volta as a logistics and industrial hub. The corridor will expand Ghana’s export capacity, strengthen regional integration under AfCFTA, and facilitate trade with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. At the core of the project are three Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) focused on…

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance has signed seven new public-private partnership (PPP) agreements, giving a major boost to Ethiopia infrastructure investment partnerships. These deals cover four affordable housing developments, two tourism projects, and one integrated diagnostic health facility. The agreements reflect the government’s strategy to use blended financing for public infrastructure. Finance Minister Ahmed Shide emphasized that private capital is essential to reducing the strain on public finances. Housing projects represent the largest share of these new deals. The private developers include Ice Home Development and Construction PLC, Ovid Chaka Housing Development PLC, Ovid Kings Tower Housing Development PLC, and the…

The UK’s rail sector is upgrading its infrastructure to eliminate railway mobile blackspots through Project Reach. This transformative Public-Private Partnership (PPP) will deliver 1,000 kilometres of ultra-fast fibre optic cable along the country’s busiest rail corridors. Announced on 26 June 2025, the initiative brings together Network Rail, Neos Networks, and Freshwave under the government’s Plan for Change. The project aims to stimulate economic growth and expand digital connectivity. Moreover, it is designed for efficiency and will save taxpayers £300 million, while enabling a smarter, more connected rail system for millions of users. To eliminate signal dead zones, Project Reach will…