Policy Paper (Interest) 17

This paper outlines the debates concerning the increasing popularity of the Public-Private-Partnership (PPPs) option as a viable strategy in a variety of both developed and developing countries. The essence of this contribution argues for a proper understanding of what PPPs are, what they can do, what their limitations are and what preconditions could help in their implementation. The broad theme of the paper concludes that, even though they may pay an integral developmental role, under certain circumstances and in certain sectors, one ought to be sanguine about these possibilities. To have any chance of success, PPPs require a new (and not necessarily diminished) set of responsibilities regarding the role of the State.