Government of Sindh has made the modernisation of agri-storage and handling infrastructure in the province a key strategic priority. This strategy is central to the government's stated objective enhancing food security for the people of Sindh. Government of Sindh announced the commencement of bidding for the Modern Grain Storage Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project.
This will be the first PPP project implemented by Government of Sindh in this sector, and will hopefully be a successful template for greater public and private sector co-operation in developing the province's agri-sector. GoS is among the leading proponents of public private partnership in Pakistan, and this project builds on the success of the recently closed Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas road PPP project, also implemented by GoS.
Under the project, GoS will be inviting private sector investors to develop modern bulk-storage facilities with a total capacity of 250,000 metric tons across five selected districts in Sindh. These facilities will primarily be used by GoS to store annually procured wheat; however, they will also be able to store other grains as required. Bulk storage facilities are recognised as being significantly more efficient for wheat and grain storage and over the last 30-40 years most major wheat producing countries across the world have moved towards bulk storage and handing system, leaving Pakistan among the last few countries that still use a bag based system.
Introduction of such a programme in Sindh through this pilot project will be an important step towards modernising the province's current grain storage infrastructure by storing grain in a safe, secure and clean environment. GoS will be keen to build on the success of this project, and rollout further similar transactions that will help modernise the entire grain handling and storage infrastructure in the province.
GoS has appointed international Finance Corporation (IFC), a part of the World Bank Group, as its advisor for this Project. With IFC's assistance, GoS will conduct a fair and transparent tender process to select a private sector investor, who is technically and financially qualified to design, construct, operate and manage the bulk storage facilities under a long term Build Own Operator (BOO) contract.
A tender process for the Project has been launched on February 23, 2012, which was advertised in various local and International newspapers, including Dawn, Business Recorder, Jang and Gulf News. Interested privates are encouraged to contact the Food Department, PPP Unit, or IFC to obtain a copy of the Prequalification document, or download it from http://www.food.gos.pk or http://www.pppunitsindh.gov.pk.-PR
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