LONG TERM FINANCING IN INFRASTRUCTURE NEED OF HOUR: KBS SIDHU

By 121 News Reporter

Chandigarh 20^th September:- Stressing on the importance to create urban infrastructure having multipliers, which further add to GDP of the country, KBS Sidhu, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India said, that there is a huge gap in infrastructure required in the country. Long term financing has to be arranged for the due development of the required infrastructure. These multipliers, said Sidhu, contribute towards ease of doing business in terms of movement of goods and services. KBS Sidhu was speaking during "Infra Invest, 2014" Conference on Financing for Infrastructure and Real Estate Development organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, here today. The conference was aimed at taking a 360 degree view on trends, strategies, risks, and opportunities in Project Financing and attracting foreign investments for Infrastructure and Real Estate Industry in North India.

 Reiterating that funds requirement is huge, and that not even the central and state governments together can fund such huge projects as are required, Sidhu said, "An innovative approach is required which has transparency and capacity for speedy approvals. The preferred mode, he said is PPP adding PPP not as public private partnership but private public partnership.

Earlier, R S Sachdeva, Co-Chairman, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, that across the globe, infrastructure is the lifeblood of prosperity and economic confidence in the 21st century. Well-planned and well executed investments offer developing economies the hope of basic facilities for all and a chance to compete in a global marketplace. Like in developed economies, superior and well maintained infrastructure in India would also attract the best talent as well as dynamic businesses seeking reliable connectivity and a high quality of life for workers.

 Dalip Sharma, Director, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, that in a world suffering unprecedented economic and environmental challenges, the importance of infrastructure is being recognized by populations and politicians alike. He added that  the issue of long-term funding and the shorter-term options for financing of infrastructure are becoming hugely important questions for policy makers and the government officials responsible for creating and maintaining the assets.

 N L Manjoka, Director, Corporate Planning, HUDCO said that it is very important to intertwine huge projects with development of the local areas around the projects so that the infrastructure so created is put to optimum usage.

Puneet Vatsayan, MD, PKV Advisors, while delving into the details of the subject said, that a strong infrastructure sector is vital to the development of a country's economy.