Infrastructure Asia, ASEAN promote sustainable infrastructure and connect stakeholders

JAKARTA, 8 August 2022 – Infrastructure Asia, the ASEAN Lead Implementing Body for Sustainable Infrastructure (LIB-SI), and the ASEAN Secretariat, co-organised the 4^th ASEAN Infrastructure Discussion Series as part of the ASEAN Marketplace at the Asia Infrastructure Forum (AIF) on 3 August in Singapore.

Through this session, public and private sector officials shared infrastructure projects and ideas for feedback from industry players.  They also exchanged views on technical and financing requirements and challenges, as well as the potential solutions for specific projects which come from the transport, logistics, energy, and water sectors in countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Viet Nam.  

In her welcome remarks, Minister Indranee Rajah, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and National Development of Singapore highlighted  the commitments by regional governments to combat climate change.

She said “eight out of ten countries in Southeast Asia have committed to net zero targets including Singapore. With rapid urbanisation in Asia, achieving a more sustainable and effective transformation of urban areas to meet growing needs is a key priority of governments and municipal authorities.”

She added that Infrastructure Asia will support regional partners to “facilitate market sounding sessions organised by regional governments in the development, funding and implementation of infrastructure projects to enable the Singapore ecosystem to gain better access and participate in regional projects.”

LIB-SI Chair and Secretary of State of Cambodia’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport Pheng Sovicheano underscored the importance of infrastructure and highlighted Cambodia’s infrastructure priorities. They include enhancement of land transport and logistics network as well as development or expansion of key projects, such as Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, international airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and deep sea ports in Preak Sihanouk and Kampot provinces.  

“We need to ensure our major infrastructure projects are investment ready – this means putting in place the necessary legal and governance structures to provide the certainty and confidence the investment community requires. Cambodia is also seeking to increase the use of Public and Private Partnerships for the delivery of infrastructure and to diversify types of financing,” he added.

The ASEAN Marketplace served as a platform to foster collaborations between industry players across ASEAN networks.  It was held as part of the Asia Infrastructure Forum (AIF) 2022 themed “Scaling Up Sustainable Infrastructure” on 2-3 August both in-person in Singapore and virtually. The AIF discussed infrastructure development and financing opportunities, as well as galvanised collaboration to scale up and deliver the next generation of sustainable infrastructure in Asia. 

The ASEAN Marketplace and other sessions in AIF 2022 saw participation of close to 1,000 in-person delegates and close to 100 virtual attendees across 29 countries, including experts and representatives from ASEAN Member States, Dialogue Partners and Other External Partners, as well as multilateral development banks, private investors, financiers, and infrastructure solution providers. 

For further information, please visit https://www.infrastructureasia.org/Asia-Infrastructure-Forum-2022.  

###

*Infrastructure Asia is Singapore’s representative in LIB-SI.