The international development agency SNV will support Bangladesh in bringing small-scale urban service projects under the public-private partnership (PPP) framework, seeking to address limited private-sector interest caused by lengthy PPP processes.
SNV and the PPP Wing of Invest Bangladesh Authority signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Dhaka yesterday (29 August) to mainstream small-scale PPPs and help local government institutions develop and implement such projects. The signing ceremony was held at the PPP Unit office in Agargaon.
The MoU creates no immediate financial obligations. SNV will mobilise funding for its activities, while any joint financial commitments will be covered by separate agreements.
The partnership will focus on translating the existing small-scale PPP guideline into practical tools and processes for municipalities and city corporations, particularly for water supply, sanitation, faecal sludge management and solid waste management.
The partners will develop standardised templates for requests for quotation and proposals, model contracts and viability gap funding forms. They will also pilot the guideline in a selected city, strengthen the capacity of LGI officials and private-sector partners, and disseminate the finalised tools nationwide.
SNV Bangladesh Country Director Ismène RAC Stalpers said small-scale PPPs could provide a practical way for local governments to work with the private sector to improve essential urban services.
Choudhury Muazzam Ahmed, director general of the PPP Wing, said the partnership would help LGIs identify, structure and implement viable PPP initiatives.
He said it was the PPP Wing’s first MoU with an international development organisation.
The initiative is being implemented under SNV’s Sustainable Urban Water Cycles programme, with support from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Bangladesh.
The partnership builds on SNV’s previous collaboration with the PPP Wing, including feasibility studies, PPP training for LGIs and capacity-building activities involving representatives from all 12 city corporations.
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