Focused Group Discussion on Public Private Partnerships in Ports “Meeting with Financial Institutions (Lenders) at Mumbai

 As the chair of the Neel Arth Vision Implementation Cell (NAVIC), a committee constituted by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to monitor and drive timely execution of initiatives identified in the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047 document which was unveiled by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India in 2023, Shri Sunil Paliwal, IAS, Chairperson of Chennai Port Authority & Kamarajar Port limited – two to the twelve Major Ports of India, held a focused group discussion with the financial institutions (lenders) at Mumbai on 08th November 2024.

The meeting was Chaired by Shri Sunil Paliwal IAS and co-chaired by (i) Shri Sushil Kumar Singh IRSME, Chairperson of Deendayal Port Authority and Chairperson in-charge of Mumbai Port Authority; and (ii) Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit IRSEE, Chairperson of VOC Port Authority. The Focused Group Discussion witnessed active participation of over 40 leaders from banking sector private terminals & major ports and senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

During the focused group discussion, the participants explored ways to further improve the existing Model Concession Agreement (MCA) of 2021 which guides the Public-Private Partnerships at ports with an aim to make MCA 2021 even more conducive to investors, developers and operators. An investor and/or lender-friendly MCA will drive development of world-class ports in India through healthy public-private partnerships.

This meeting, which focussed exclusively on the financial aspects of the Public Private Partnerships, is 2nd meeting in a series of two meetings. The first such meeting, held on 04th September 2024 at Mumbai, was with the private port and terminal operators which focussed on port/terminal development and operational aspects.