Corrs hosts ABAC Forum on PPPs

15 February 2010

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Corrs Chambers Westgarth (Corrs) hosted an APEC Business Advisory Council forum on PPPs on 9 February. The Forum brought together regional business, government and academic leaders to discuss options for promoting PPPs in the region, particularly in relation to utilising PPPs to upgrade transport infrastructure and enhance supply chain connectivity amongst APEC member countries.

The forum was opened by Corrs CEO John Denton with an opening address by Tony Canavan, Director, Partnerships Victoria; Coordinator-General, Nation Building and Jobs Plan, Department of Premier and Cabinet (Victoria).

Speakers included Hidehiko Nishiyama (Director General for International Trade Policy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan), Yoshihiro Watanabe (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc, Japan; Chair, ABAC Finance and Economics Working Group) and John Walter (Partner, Corrs Chambers Westgarth), who advised the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment on the procurement and development of the Victorian Desalination Project. This project is globally the largest Public Private Partnership (PPP) project undertaken in the last 12 months.

Corrs also hosted a cocktail reception to celebrate the opening of the APEC Business Advisory Council. Guests included the Victorian Premier, the Hon John Brumby and several high profile government and business representatives from APEC countries, including Joseph Tauvasa (Chairman of South Pacific Brewery), Kurt Tong (the US Senior Official for APEC) and Anindya Bakrie (President, Director & CEO of PT Bakrie Telecom Tbk).

Victorian Premier John Brumby (l) with Corrs CEO John Denton