Innovative funding and financing for infrastructure: addressing scarcity of public resources

Abstract

Investment in infrastructure is critical to economic growth, quality of life, poverty reduction, access to education, good quality healthcare--i.e, a dynamic economy. Yet amid scarce public capital, heavily indebted governments and increased demands on government resources, infrastructure projects often suffer from investment shortfalls and inadequate maintenance. These challenges merit renewed efforts at finding additional sources of funding. Innovative Funding and Financing for Infrastructure focuses on innovative approaches to financing as well as debt and equity from new sources and structures. It provides critical methods to increase the capital available for infrastructure, reduce fiscal liabilities and improve leverage of scare public resources. Designed for students and specialists in the fields of investment planning and finance, this book offers a survey of creative approaches from around the world, resulting in a practical guidance for policy makers and strategists on how governments can enable and encourage innovative funding and financing.