Commonwealth Singapore Programme on Infrastructure for National Development

Commonwealth-Singapore Permanent Secretaries Study Programme being held in Singapore.

A Commonwealth-Singapore Permanent Secretaries Study Programme is being held in Singapore from 10 to 17 August 2005, with the theme 'Infrastructure for National Development: Supporting NEPAD'. The seminar will bring together ten permanent secretaries from nine Commonwealth African countries, namely, The Gambia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, United Republic of Tanzania, and Zambia. They represent ministries of public works, transport, infrastructure and urban development. This seminar, organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat's Governance and Institutional Development Division (GIDD), is funded by the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation and the Singapore Co-operation Programme.

One of the priorities of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is the promotion of regional integration to overcome the lack of economies of scale. Bridging the infrastructure gap has been identified as an important element in promoting regional integration. NEPAD's Action Plan on Infrastructure notes the need for adequate and reliable infrastructure such as road, rail and communications networks to promote trade and development.

Professor Victor Ayeni, Director of GIDD, said: "In embracing the NEPAD initiative, African leaders have pledged to eradicate poverty through their own unified efforts, as well as through intensified collaboration with regional bodies and international partners."

Dr Srinivas Sampath, GIDD's Adviser for Public-Private Partnerships, and co-ordinator of the programme, stated that the seminar would facilitate development of the infrastructure sector through capacity-building among key officials. He said: "It is fundamental that African countries focus on infrastructure development as a key pivot to reduce economic marginalisation. These officials will be trained so they can actively participate in the process of carrying forward infrastructural reforms and contribute towards shaping up a desired state of infrastructure services in their respective countries."

The provision of infrastructure facilities has been traditionally funded by governments. However, in recent years governments have been facing serious resource needs to finance infrastructure projects or to enhance existing assets. They are increasingly exploring options to finance such work through non-traditional sources, including partnerships with the private sector.
 
This annual seminar provides participants with an opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge in infrastructure development, while examining Singapore as a model. The perspectives, concepts, strategies and techniques shared during the seminar will be useful in the planning, appraisal, financing or implementation of infrastructure projects.
 
Each of the participants will be preparing a paper on their respective country's infrastructure development experience for presentation at the seminar. These will enable participants to prepare and develop an action plan for implementation focusing on infrastructure development and financing.

 

CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 247, 10 August 2005