The International Conference on Promoting Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Montenegro and South-East Europe unanimously agreed to establish a Regional Centre of Excellence for South-East Europe under the auspices of the UNECE International PPP Centre of Excellence to disseminate best practices in PPPs and to assist countries in the region with their implementation.

This International Conference was held in Podgorica, Montenegro on 18 - 19 September 2012, and was organized by UNECE together with the Commission for Concessions in Montenegro, and the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro.

The conference was attended by over 100 participants from the private and public sectors, including representatives from PPP units in South-East Europe and a representative from the Regional Cooperation Council. The conference was opened by the Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr. Vujica Lazovic, and keynote speeches were delivered by ministers and mayors from local towns.

At the opening session, the Conference agreed to establish a task force to explore a proposal to set up the Regional Centre under the auspices of the UNECE International PPP Centre of Excellence. The task force, composed of representatives from the region and led by Mr. Kamilo Vrana from the Croatian PPP Agency and vice-Chairman of UNECE’s Team of Specialists on PPP, discussed extensively the priority tasks and modalities of its work and operations in the region.

Speaking on this proposal, Mr. Vrana stated: “There are countries in the region which are eager to implement PPPs but, because of the size of their markets, lack the capability to promote such projects. This regional centre, therefore, will help these countries and our region as a whole, create economies of scale and drive the PPP process forward.”

At the end of the Conference, the proposal by the task force was adopted based on the vision of combining the global experience in PPPs with local needs, practical issues and concrete goals, thereby generating a new momentum for the PPP market in South-East Europe.

This was the first time that Montenegro organized a conference exclusively on the subject of PPPs and with an international focus. The participants of the conference fully appreciated the opportunity to exchange best practices and experiences with international experts drawn from a number of European countries and the United States.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Tony Bonnici
UNECE / Economic Cooperation and Integration Division
Tel: +41 (0)22 917 2246
E-mail: [email protected]