Malta needs more public/private partnerships as they have the potential to plug resource, skills, efficiency and funding gaps as well as to improve competitiveness, according to the speakers at the conference organised by Ernst and Young.

There is scope for PPPs to take root in practically all key sectors: transport; maritime; tourism; healthcare; energy and sustainable energy, among others.

During the conference, Konrad Mizzi, Minister for Energy and the Conservation of Water, outlined the government’s commitment to PPPs and their strategic contribution to economic development.

The Ernst & Young event was very well attended by high-level stakeholders and operators from both the public and private sectors. A distinguished line-up of local and international players shared their experiences and insights into how PPPs can be a conduit for future projects of national importance, taking Malta into a new phase of dynamic economic growth.

The setting up of a dedicated government unit which manages and monitors such initiatives was advocated by a number of participants.

There was also an appeal to government for flexibility and pragmatism as well as for a clearer definition of the risks, responsibilities and assets at the tendering stage.

“We were encouraged by the fact that apart from confirming the strong drive to keep mining the PPP concept for new angles, several new and interesting projects were suggested, along with concrete and innovative ways for taking them forward,” said Ronald Attard, country managing partner of Ernst & Young Malta.

Manish Gupta, head of infrastructure for Ernst & Young EMEIA, one of two international partners delivering a presentation, struck a note of caution: “A one-size-fits-all approach does not work”.

He argued that in order for any PPP initiative to live up to the expectations of all stakeholders, including taxpayers, it should be carefully assessed on its own merits.