Invest Cyprus earlier this year organised an International Summit entitled ‘Unlocking Investment Through Public-Private Partnerships’ in association with the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) and the World Association of PPP Units & PPP Professionals (WAPPP).
A publication edition containing an overview of what was discussed during the 26-27 March 2025 Summit, is now available online. You can find it here.
Within the publication, Ismail Ersahin, the Executive Director and CEO of WAIPA discusses why PPPs have emerged as invaluable mechanisms for advancing infrastructure, service delivery and innovation and talks about the Summit's importance.
More specefically, Ersahin says, "This Summit marks a crucial step in unlocking the full potential of PublicÐPrivate Partnerships (PPPs) to drive sustainable economic growth. It brings together a diverse range of stakeholders Ð governments, private sector leaders, international organisations and experts Ð to explore how PPPs can shape the future of investment and development."
He goes on to note that, "PPPs have emerged as invaluable mechanisms for advancing infrastructure, service delivery and innovation. By harnessing the combined strengths of the public and private sectors blending efficiency and expertise with social objectives and regulatory oversight PPPs create a synergy that enables the successful delivery of large-scale projects. Crucially, they also foster an environment conducive to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)."
Ersahin underlines that, "FDI is the lifeblood of such initiatives, contributing not only capital but also technology and managerial expertise. In turn, this strengthens the foundation for further PPPs, creating a virtuous cycle of investment, development, and prosperity."
Among other things, he talks about how WAIPA supports global investment efforts by helping Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) connect the public and private sectors.
Working with partners such as UN agencies, the ILO and the World Bank, WAIPA builds platforms and projects to strengthen IPAs’ capacity to promote, facilitate and advocate for investment.
As Ersahin points out, IPAs play a key role in developing “bankable” projects that attract private investors while meeting public goals. They guide project design, negotiation and facilitation, and assist investors throughout the regulatory process, ensuring long-term confidence — especially vital for infrastructure projects that can last decades.
He also highlighted Cyprus as a strong example of effective investment promotion, maintaining robust FDI inflows (₤91 billion in 2023) despite global challenges, thanks to its legal framework and investor-friendly environment.
Ersahin, in addiion, praises Cyprus’ leadership within WAIPA and calls for greater empowerment of IPAs worldwide, emphasizing that strengthening IPAs benefits both public and private sectors, fostering sustainable growth through Public–Private Partnerships and cross-border collaboration.
His full statmenet can be seen in the online edition, here.
About PPPs
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are vital for fostering innovation, improving infrastructure and enhancing public services. By leveraging the strengths of both the public and private sectors, PPPs combine the former’s access to large-scale projects and social responsibility with the latter’s efficiency expertise and resources. This collaboration enables governments to undertake large, complex projects – building infrastructure, improving healthcare or advancing technology – that might be financially or logistically challenging alone. Additionally, PPPs help distribute risks and rewards, ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget and to a high standard, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.
