Moody’s Investor Service, a credit rating agency, has released a report on outlook for Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in Canada in light of the current economic downturn. To see the full report, please click on the follow link:

http://www.pppcouncil.ca/pdf/moodys_outlook_012009.pdf.

Consortiums have been shortlisted to bid for the Operations and Maintenance of the Lagos Blue Line light rail system. In addition, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) is in final negotiations with the preferred bidder for the design and construction of the fixed infrastructure.

The Blue Line is part of the Lagos Mass Rail Transit system which will be developed into a network of 7 lines serving all areas of the city. The Blue Line is a 27-km East-West line running through a heavily populated corridor and terminating downtown on Lagos Island. The rail line will run in the center of the Badagry Expressway, a toll road project being developed concurrently with the rail project. The Blue Line will share three stations with the Red Line, a North-South line also under development.

CPCS consultants George Kaulbeck and Jeff Murphy were recently interviewed in Africa Investor. To view the article, please click here.

As the current financial crisis deepens, infrastructure projects are facing many challenges in developing countries. As countries look for credit, capital markets and bank financing are drying up, making it more difficult to obtain financing for infrastructure projects. The World Bank/PPIAF has published a brief report on the impact of the credit crisis on infrastructure projects. The view the full article, please click here.

Between 2001 and 2007, trade between Africa and China increased from $9 billion to $59 billion. In addition to trade, Chinese investment in infrastructure has also boomed. Africa’s major infrastructure deficit plays well to the increase in Chinese investment. It is well known that Africa is abundant with many natural resources and significant investments in infrastructure will improve the continent’s ability to export these resources and accelerate other economic development. This emerging role of China in Africa is discussed in an October 2008 article released by the PPIAF. To view the article, click here.

CPCS consultants Marc-Andre Roy and James Frost recently published in Canadian Sailings, Transportation & Trade Logistics Magazine. The article details the Government of Canada’s plans to revitalize the short-sea sector through strategic investments in Canada’s transportation systems. The article is a follow-up to a recent CPCS study that indicated there may be a business case for short-sea container and roll-on/roll-off services on a selection of routes in eastern Canada and potentially across the Great Lakes. Please click on the link below to view their article "Unprecedented opportunities to promote short-sea shipping in Canada" from Canadian Sailings, Feb 9, 2009 issue.

http://www.cpcstrans.com/media_room/_publications/2009/Canadian Sailings short-sea opinion piece - Feb 9 2009.pdf

Jordan has recently concluded a study to analyse potential railway development options, including possible linkages to Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The study was undertaken by an international joint venture led by CPCS and composed of Dar Al Handasah and Movares. Total project costs are estimated at over USD 6 billion and the project is expected to increase the speed of freight movements, cut transportation costs, and boost trade with neighbouring countries. The line will run from Aqaba to the Syrian border through Amman and Zarqa. The line will also link the Saudi and Iraqi borders with Irbid, Mafraq, and Azraq. The Government of Jordan recently retained a consortium led by BNP Paribas to provide transaction advisory services. Other consortium members include CPCS, Chadbourne & Park LLP, and IB Law. The following press release summarizes the view of the new Minister of Transport on key elements of the project.

http://www.cpcstrans.com/newsletter/_attachments/PPP/2009-05/Jordan_Rail_BOT.pdf