Delegation in UK to study public private structures

Tonio Fenech, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, is in London where he is evaluating UK-based public private partnership structures and projects.

Mr Fenech is heading a delegation to establish the necessary knowledge transfer channels and contacts in setting up a public private partnership (PPP) unit and process in the Ministry of Finance.

This visit is part of the 2004 budget measure implementation to establish the PPP unit with the appropriate expertise and process models for the purpose and to seek opportunities to engage in such projects where these can result in clear efficiencies.

The visit has been organised with the collaboration of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which is hosting the delegation for the duration of the visit.

During his stay, Mr Fenech is expected to chair a round table discussion with various UK industry players, consultants and financiers and also visit a number of PPP projects in areas of interest to Malta.

He is expected to meet Paul Boateng, chief secretary to the Treasury and a member of the Cabinet, to discuss both PPP issues and matters of mutual interest currently being discussed at the Council of Economics and Finance Ministers of the 25 member states of the European Union.

He is also expected to have meetings with the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Michael Savoury, in preparation of the Lord Mayor's visit to Malta in February, when the PPP structures for Malta as well as the first PPP projects will be announced.