By IANS,
New Delhi : The shipping ministry will sign 20 to 25 public-private partnership (PPP) agreements this year to boost port infrastructure in the country, Shipping Secretary A.P.V.N. Sarma said here Tuesday.
“We are looking at better port infrastructure and enhancing capacity. The ministry will be signing about 20-25 port projects under the PPP mode by the end of this year,” Sarma told reporters on the sidelines of a business conference.
“This will open up the sector for private investment and lead to better infrastructure.”
Apart from building new infrastructure, the ministry is also looking at other measures to improve the maritime trade including minimising procedural delays and speeding up traffic.
Sarma added that the ministry favoured divestment in Cochin Shipyard, the largest shipping yard in the country.
“We have broadly agreed to the Department of Economic Affairs’ recommendation for disinvestment in PSUs (public sector undertakings). This includes Cochin Shipyard,” he said.