SUMMARY

MIS-9/E

UNIDO BOT Guidelines

The build-operate-transfer (BOT) approach has in recent years played growing role in the implementation of industrial and infrastructure projects such as oil and gas fields, power plants, toll roads and water supply and treatment facilities in both industrialized and developing countries. Owing to the strategic importance of BOT projects for developing countries, UNIDO is increasingly being asked by member countries to provide information, advice and guidance on the elaboration of these projects. In response to this need, it has taken the initiative of preparing these Guidelines for Infrastructure Development through Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Projects, which are intended to provide both a general overview of the conceptual, legal and financial issues associated with BOT projects and practical guidance for project development, negotiation and implementation.

The structure and content of the Guidelines follow the usual path of BOT projects, from identification of project opportunities through feasibility studies, formation of a consortium, bidding procedures, contractual and financial packages, to the operation, maintenance and transfer of ownership. The Guidelines also highlight the ways in which BOT projects can promote technology transfer and capacity building. The main goals of UNIDO in preparing the Guidelines are to help developing countries to take advantage of the potential benefits of suing a BOT strategy to implement infrastructure projects and make well-reasoned decisions based on their particular objectives and requirements, and to elucidate how projects can be made to attract financing from the private sector.