Public-private partnerships: An innovative solution for water privatization in developing countries?

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2023 in the subject Economics - International Economic Relations, grade: 1,0, Vienna University of Economics and Business (Entrepreneurship & Innovation), language: English, abstract: Water is a vital element for human life and its wellbeing. And still, millions of people living in developing countries lack access to quality water services. Governments of those countries simply do not have enough financial resources to build up or improve water infrastructure, but it is their responsibility to ensure that water also reaches the poorest. Private companies, on the other hand, are able to provide financial resources, capacities and know-how to design, build, operate and finance water utilities. This leads to the question if public-private partnerships (PPPs) would be an innovative solution for water privatization in developing countries?

This thesis analyses the main benefits and risks of a PPP in the water sector in developing countries. In addition, the process of the water concession of Metro Manila, Philippines represents an interesting study case to discuss further the advantages and risk factors that were described in the literature. The conducted interview contributes to the research by gaining insights about up-todate information such as current water PPP projects.