[2019/05/30] Dialogue with Senior Management from MDBs: Investment in Quality and Sustainable Infrastructure

The “Dialogue with Senior Management from MDBs: Investment in Quality and Sustainable Infrastructure” was held at the “10^th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum” (IIICF) today (30 May), drawing representatives of commercial, infrastructure and peripheral industries from all around the world to gather in Macao for discussion on important issues of making investments in high quality and sustainable infrastructure, how to maximise infrastructure project register and enhance investment quality, and more.

Speakers at the Dialogue were Vice President for Policy and Strategy of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Mr Joachim von Amsberg, Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of New Development Bank Mr Zhu Xian, Ralph and Claire Landau Professor of Economics of The Chinese University of Hong Kong Professor Lawrence J. Lau, Special Advisor to the President & Director of Cabinet of African Development Bank Mr Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, and President and Chief Executive Officer of the China-Africa Development Fund Mr Shi Jiyang. Mr Julian Vella, Partner and Asia Pacific Regional Leader for KPMG’s Global Infrastructure Practice, served as the moderator at the Dialogue.

According to Joachim von Amsberg, infrastructure links people, services and markets together, and plays a crucial role in boosting economic growth and overcoming development bottlenecks. In the meantime, difficulties and challenges come along with infrastructure, so sufficient expertise and experience are important for implementing infrastructure projects. He added that the mission of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is assisting clients in developing quality and sustainable infrastructure collaboration projects, including both public and private projects. He continued, although hope and risk always co-exist in infrastructure development, risk can be minimised by setting up good standards and effective procedure. Sustainable and high-quality infrastructure development is achievable, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is prepared to provide all-round support.

Many speakers generously shared inspiring insights at the forums, one of them was Mr Zhu Xian. In his speech, Mr Zhu said that the upcoming challenges for the infrastructure sector are how to define a good infrastructure and how to effectively carry out projects. Confronting these challenges and maintaining the quality of infrastructure facilities entail consensus of different parties, standardisation, and being adaptive to the rapidly changing market.

According to Professor Lawrence J. Lau, high-quality investment in infrastructure is one of the principles proposed by the “Belt and Road” Initiative. He also suggested adopting third-party quality supervision and appointing international experts to conduct examination.

Mr Shi Jiyang advised enterprises, banks and funds to actively respond to the “Belt and Road” Initiative, and go for projects that can strategically motivate local economic growth, enhance economic and commercial strengths.