Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

Definition

: A mechanism for government to procure and implement public infrastructure and/or service using the resources and expertise of the private sector. (from PPPIRC in World Bank)

But, there is no one widely accepted definition of public-private partnerships (PPP). PPPs are typically medium to long term arrangements between the public and private sectors whereby some of the service obligations of the public sector are provided by the private sector, with clear agreement on shared objectives for delivery of public infrastructure and/or public service.

PPPs typically do not include service contracts or turnkey construction contracts, which are categorized as public procurement projects or the privatization of utilities where there is a limited ongoing role for the public sector.