Inspired by the success in private investment in power, gas and telecoms sectors through build-operate-transfer (BOT) and build-own-operate (BOO) basis, the government is willing to further lure private investment in infrastructure such as ports, roads, water supply and waste management.

Currently, there are no instructions for government offices to follow when it comes to developing and facilitating progress of private sector infrastructure projects.

The government offices now follow the Public Procurement Regulations, 2003 to handle private infrastructure projects. But the regulations are not adequate, official sources said.

A draft guideline is now under lens of cabinet committee on economic affairs. Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Centre (IIFC), a government agency for facilitating private investment in infrastructure, has prepared the draft.

Nazrul Islam, executive director and CEO of IIFC, said when a guideline comes into effect it will encourage more investment from private sector in infrastructure.

A major reason for lack of private sector participation in infrastructure projects is the absence of consistent procedures, the IIFC CEO told the newspaper.

IIFC is currently working with Bangladesh Land Port Authority to develop infrastructure in Sona Masjid, Banglabadha, Birol, Burimari and Bibirbazar land ports through BOT basis.

IIFC is also working with Rural Electrification Board for remote area power supply system, assisting Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation for building multi-purpose bus terminals in Dhaka and helping Bangladesh Telecom-munications Regulatory Commi-ssion to establish new broad-band telecoms network and issue cellular licenses.