Overview
Celebrating 10-years of collaboration, the Financial Times and Oliver Wyman are pleased to partner once again on the 2019 Strategic Forum. This annual event will bring together senior executives, investors, officials from public sector agencies and governments to share best practice on strategies for bridging the infrastructure gap in the GCC and building a new framework for public-private sector collaboration. Hosted under the Chatham House Rule, the format will encourage candid discussion amongst key stakeholders to help to facilitate the next generation of transformative PPPs in the region.
Increased infrastructure investment is critical in the region if the GCC states are to meet the rising demands of urban populations and achieve their ambitious plans for economic growth. But unstable oil prices have created a funding deficit which threatens to cause delays to and even cancellations of these important projects. According to a recent report from Oliver Wyman, the pipeline of infrastructure investment over the next five years is planned to be over 1.5 trillion US dollars; so far, the government is contributing about 300 billion US dollars. Even with state owned enterprises and sovereign wealth funds included, the region has a huge deficit. Undoubtedly there is competition for investment, and only those governments best prepared will receive investment.
The potential benefits of Public-Private Sector Partnerships (PPPs) are clear. From a government point of view, new contracting models are lessening financial burdens and increasing the availability of capital to spend elsewhere. On the financing side, new partnerships are providing unique and potentially lucrative opportunities for investors and developers to play a critical role in future infrastructure. But to deliver value for both sides, stakeholders must better align their strategic intent, be willing to take a different approach to risk sharing and collaborate on new kinds of partnerships. What new economic and social benefits can inventive approaches to PPPs bring? How can the next generation of PPPs help the GCC build diversified, innovative and robust economies?
Agenda
8:00am
BREAKFAST AND REGISTRATION
8:50am
CHAIR’S OPENING REMARKS
John Everington, Middle East and Africa Editor, The Banker
9:00am
Oliver Wyman Welcome
Jeff Youssef, Partner- Middle East Public Sector Practice, Oliver Wyman
9:10am
Keynote Address: Exploring New Opportunities in the GCC
9:40am
PANEL DISCUSSION 1: Sharing Risk and Reward
To create long-term value, aligning the expectations of all key stakeholders and subcontractors is essential. How can better collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders bring shared rewards?
How can investors demonstrate their suitability for key projects in a competitive tendering landscape?
What new regulatory and legislative framework is required to attract investment?
What do investors value?
How can governments and investors alike identify and evaluate the most suitable form of PPP to embark on? What are the merits and limitations of each model?
Ahmad AlSabbah, PPP Expert, Ministry of Infrastructure and Development
Adam Pierson, Partner, White and Case
Sami Neffati, Managing Partner, Investcorp and Aberdeen Standard Investment Joint Venture
Raed Safadi, Chief Economic Advisor, Dubai Department of Economic Development
Christopher Seymour, Managing Director, Mott MacDonald Middle East
Moderated by: John Everington, Middle East and Africa Editor, The Banker
10:40am
NETWORKING BREAK
11:10am
KEYNOTE: Building for the Future-Rethinking Infrastructure development in the GCC
Harj Dhaliwal, Managing Director, Virgin Hyperloop One
11:25am
CASE STUDIES and Q&A- Innovative Infrastructure PPPs: Lessons Learned
These leading infrastructure case studies will showcase the potential economic and social benefits of leveraging private sector capital for future infrastructure. Through using innovative risk sharing agreements and new funding models, these two examples will highlight how PPPs can be used to mitigate risk and improve the efficiency of large-scale infrastructure projects. How can the lessons learnt inspire further investment in the region? How can stakeholders ensure the pipeline is managed efficiently?
Muneera Al Bahar, Head of Feasibility Studies, Kuwait Authority for Partnerships Projects (KAPP)
Ibtesam Al Bastaki, Director of Investment and Public-Private Sector Partnerships, Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
Naser Al Rashedi, UAE Space Agency
Michael Bueker, Chief Financial Officer, Siemens
Munner Ferozie, Regional Head of Transactions Advisory Public-Private Partnerships, MENA International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Interviewed by: John Everington, Middle East and Africa Editor, The Banker
12:15pm
Q&A with Audience
12:25pm
Closing Summation
Pedro Oliveria, Managing Partner MEA, Oliver Wyman
12:35pm
Chair's Closing Remarks
12:45pm
Lunch
Venue
Madinat Jumeirah Conference and Events Centre
PO Box 75157
Dubai