The Australian government launched today its Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) program in Manila in support of the country’s drive to build public infrastructures that promote sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth for the long haul.
Program host and Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu PSM, in her opening remarks, said: “P4I provides connections to Australian infrastructure skills and expertise, exemplifying Australia’s longstanding friendship with the Philippines and our commitment to mutual growth in Southeast Asia.”
With the program in place, the government may access a range of experts to support infrastructure decision-making and practice, particularly in the early stages of the infrastructure lifecycle, the diplomat explained.
In response, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno noted that Australia had been a responsive partner in helping the Philippines through its knowledge-sharing, capacity-building and other forms of assistance.
“The government has made investment in infrastructure a top priority. We look to Australia’s example in many of the infrastructure investments we seek to implement,” Diokno said.
Australia’s Special Envoy for Southeast Asia, Nicolas Moore, noted that Australia is boosting its links with the Philippines and the region “by delivering a Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, which will set out a pathway to help unluck two-way trade and investment opportunities for the next two decades.”
Prior to this, the P4I initiative worked with the government to advance infrastructure through a range of programs such as advisory services in support of its rail investment prioritization and financing with the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
P4I has also funded studies analyzing approaches to hybrid off-grid electricity systems for remote communities and energy efficiency, and project preparations to improve connectivity in Mindanao.
The same Australian initiative also partnered with Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
