Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The second thematic video conference on the development of public-private partnerships (PPP) and a network for financing infrastructure development in the Asia-Pacific region on the topic: "Preparation and assessment of viable and sustainable PPP infrastructure projects" was held today.

The event is organized by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

The purpose of the event was to raise awareness, improve the abilities and skills of specialists from public sector enterprises to establish a successful public-private partnership.

The conference was attended by the heads of ESCAP divisions, leading experts of research and analytical structures, representatives of the official circles of China, Iran, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia.

The event discussed the provision of technical support in the preparation of sustainable, viable and cost-effective projects. Participants were introduced to case studies that ensure the selected projects can be successfully implemented, including value for money analysis, feasibility studies and business plan development.

Uzbekistan in the international videoconference was presented by the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) represented by Deputy Director Umid Abidkhadjayev, who acquainted the participants with the methodology for assessing the criteria for the effectiveness of investment projects implemented through centralized sources of funding.

The methodology was developed by CERR based on the leadership of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on economic assessment, infrastructure projects and covers a number of issues including analysis of demand, benefits and costs, risks and resource allocation.

In his speech, Deputy Director of CERR U. Abidkhadjaev noted that the assessment of the return on investment projects financed by taxpayers or external debt is relevant for most developing countries.

In this regard, in his Address, President Sh. Mirziyoyev announced the creation of a new system of reporting to the public on the results of such projects, and projects implemented in the regions through external borrowing will be discussed by local Kengashes and the public.

It is also planned to reduce external borrowing under the guarantee of the state, and more private capital will be attracted to investment and infrastructure projects. This year, on the basis of public-private partnerships, it is planned to start implementing more than 40 large and medium-sized projects.

“The purpose of today’s presentation is to get constructive feedback from international experts regarding our methodology. The recommendations set out in the CERR methodology establish a general approach to the economic analysis of investment projects financed from centralized sources of financing, including external debt, at the stage of their selection, implementation and post-investment period until the full design parameters are achieved,” noted U. Abidkhadjaev.

According to him, the purpose of developing this methodology was to ensure the correct assessment of indicators and results of investment projects at all stages of their life cycles, to determine the attractiveness and comparison of parameters in order to select priority investment projects.