Jordan's Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) has received the Gold recognition as Best Emerging Market Infrastructure Project for Europe, Central Asia, Mena in Emerging Partnerships.

Co-released by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Infrastructure Journal (IJ), and funded by the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF), the Emerging Partnerships publication recognizes the 40 best public-private partnership (PPP) projects in emerging markets around the world today.

The winning PPPs, selected from projects nominated by governments, industry, NGOs, academia and other organisations following a global call for submissions, demonstrated best practices for governments working with the private sector to provide a wide range of public services and to spur economic development in their countries.

Managed by Airport International Group (AIG), the Jordanian consortium responsible for the rehabilitation, expansion and operation of QAIA, QAIA was chosen as best in category from among 120 eligible submissions by four independent regional judging panels of prominent PPP experts.

Selection criteria focused on financial innovation, technological innovation, developmental vision, replicability and impact. QAIA and the other winning candidates will be recognised at an awards ceremony in April 2013 in Washington DC during the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Spring Meetings.

"PPPs are a time-tested and proven Public Procurement method of efficiently bridging the gap between infrastructure needs and investment. Using private financing, design, building and operation of infrastructure has emerged as one of the most important models worldwide for delivering better infrastructure results," said AIG CEO, Kjeld Binger.

"We are very proud of, and deeply value, our close partnership with the Government of Jordan as we work together to position Queen Alia International Airport as a powerful economic asset for all Jordanians. Together, and by raising the Kingdom's prime airport's capacity, we aim to bolster Jordan's tourism industry and open the door for greater economic opportunities."  

As indicated by IFC, the new airport is expected to create 23,000 jobs and will enable Jordan to strengthen its position as a tourist and economic center by offering an exceptional travel experience to business and leisure travelers, setting QAIA as a convenient transfer hub. – TradeArabia News Service