November 2011 Issue

Thanks to developments in places such as Puerto Rico and Ohio, might public-private partnerships finally become accepted in the US? Or will vested political interests continue to frustrate the legion of private capital professionals wanting to play their part? And what of potential in the country’s energy sector now that shale extraction has burst onto the scene? Five protagonists joined Andy Thomson and Chris Glynn to shed light on these and other issues

In a packed conference room in Mumbai in early October some of the key people helping shape infrastructure development in India met at Infrastructure Investor’s India Forum to assess how the market is set to evolve – and how it can be financed

Almost two years ago, all the talk in Europe was around the new phenomenon of infrastructure debt funds. Andy Thomson wonders why things have gone quiet Jones: boring is best

Those assuming this year has seen only scant and prosaic infrastructure financings as economic woes continue, should think again. Bruno Alves and Andy Thomson identify five groundbreaking transactions

In an interview for sister publication Private Equity International’s tenth anniversary edition, Thierry Déau of Paris-based fund manager Meridiam explains how infrastructure has evolved into an asset class in its own right as investors have begun to understand its unique characteristics.

Day-one yield? Check. Stable cash flows? Check. Steady deal pipeline? Check. Negligible deal fees? Check. Conservative portfolio? Check. What could possibly go wrong for the John Laing Infrastructure Fund? Perhaps only the whims of politicians. Bruno Alves meets JLIF co-heads Andrew Charlesworth and David Marshall.

Poor planning and bickering tainted US parking privatisations. But with the municipal need for cash ever-present, such deals are back centre stage.

Thanks to a bankruptcy filing and probable state takeover, a parking concession and sale of a waste incinerator are looking more likely in this crisis-hit city.

Dexia’s second bailout underlines how hard (and expensive) it will be for banks to lend long term to infrastructure in the future.

Another large French high-speed rail project was influential as project finance activity slowed down in the third quarter.

Infrastructure fundraising in 2011 probably won't match last year's total.

Infrastructure funds can expect competition from the real estate market for renewable energy deals.

Too often there is still confusion about infrastructure allocations with limited partner organisations. One result could be inappropriate responses to prevailing market conditions.

A new report highlights the crucial role that Islamic finance could play in funding Asia’s huge infrastructure needs.

The sale of Edinburgh airport looks set for take-off, while privatisations in Madrid and Barcelona may be grounded for a while.

Thomas Putter, Allianz Capital Partners’ former boss, warns of ‘social dynamite’ as private financing forces Westerners to start paying for assets.

Emirates will help foot the bill for a new cable car across the Thames. Let’s hope this public-private partnership is happier than the London tube equivalent.

Last winter, Gatwick won the so-called “battle of the snowploughs”. This time, Heathrow is fighting back.