Complex projects, with an intention to have innovative features, including private sector participation, are better designed and implemented if there is a clear government sector plan that is fully supported both at the national and provincial levels. The lack of a clear sector plan in this case resulted in changes in government priorities and decision (i.e., from multimodal to rail-to-rail transshipment, from private operator to state-owned entity).
Strong technical support and advice from ADB provides value addition to infrastructure projects, particularly for countries where institutional capacity is weak. Support includes the conduct of diagnostic work to assess the capacity of the sector and the institution and determine the risks and discuss the needed mitigation plan. The project was approved during the time when reorganization in the sector was underway. Thus, both the government and the ADB could have built on the momentum to fully take on its first multimodal transport investment.
At the sector level, a conducive policy, legal, and institutional environment for PPP facilitates could enhance PSP in infrastructure services. PSP is facilitated when there are (i) a suitable policy and strategy for PPP, (ii) an established and professionally managed PPP Office that facilitates PPP processes, and