Minister of Finance Dr. Youssef Boutros Ghali has announced that a draft law for the public private partnership will be prepared to organize the service provision among the two sectors with regards to development projects such as the construction of schools.  The draft law will determine criteria to be adhered to by both parties.

In his statement at the financial committee at the Shura Council, Dr. Ghali made it clear that the setting up of fifty new schools with the participation of the public and private sectors will stipulate the leasing of government land to the private sector to undertake the construction and maintenance of the schools.  The Minister noted will alleviate financial burdens on the state budget in addition to seeing the public sector benefiting from private funding and the latter’s experienced planning and maintenance capabilities.

The Minister noted that the building of schools will take place through a public private partnership and will save four million pounds per school.  Through the new system only 10% of the lease will be paid while the school construction is worth ten times the amount.

He noted that the partnership agreement will allow the private sector to build 3000 schools with the only obstacle being the absence of the necessary land for construction.

Dr. Ghali announced that the partnership will continue through next year to include medical units in rural areas, sewage systems in villages to be connected with the school projects.

(source :Al-ahram)