Aussie investors keen on PH projects

MANILA, Philippines—Australian investors have expressed keen interest in doing toll ways and airport projects under Malacañang’s public-private partnership infrastructure campaign, according to the PPP Center.

The agency said companies based in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane were “eager to participate” in projects lined up for tender within the year.

“The eagerness is encouraging and we are grateful for this meaningful investment facilitation support provided by the Australian Trade Commission (ATC),” said Eleazar E. Ricote, director of the PPP Center.

Ricote was referring to a series of roundtable discussions via videoconference between Philippine officials and representatives of prospective Australian investors, which was organized by ATC.

According to the ATC, the roundtable discussions will be followed by an investment briefing in Manila later this month.

Last March, Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said the government’s investment arm, the National Development Co. (NDC), intends to issue bonds in increments “as needed” to help finance PPP projects.—Ronnel W. Domingo