The Asia-Pacific Project Preparation Facility (AP3F) is a multi-donor trust fund managed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help developing Asia and the Pacific to prepare, structure, and place bankable PPP projects in the market.
The establishment of the facility was announced in May 2015 and its size is approximately US$74 million including commitments from the governments of Japan, Canada and Australia that from high to low contribution respectively provide US$64 million. ADB will also contribute US$10 million and additional donors are also expected to join in the future.
The facility’s primary objective is project preparation support for governments, including due diligence and advisory work covering technical, financial, legal, and regulatory issues as well as safeguards.
It can also provide capacity and policy development support and project operation support, including monitoring and restructuring work for existing projects.
AP3F exemplifies ADB’s broader role as a development partner to governments that goes beyond the financing of Asia’s infrastructure.
Ryuichi Kaga, Head of ADB’s PPP Office, said:
“We are pleased to launch the facility’s operations and boost our support to our developing member countries in their efforts to attract private sector participation in infrastructure. Improving the quality and delivery of infrastructure projects will create investment opportunities for the private sector, a key partner for addressing Asia’s massive infrastructure needs.”