Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) has beaten off competition from a number of UK and Portuguese firms to scoop the lead role advising the Maltese Ministry of Finance on its newly-unveiled PPP initiative.
Malta unveiled a PPP programme earlier this year following a visit from London’s Lord Mayor Michael Savoury, who was in the country to promote the PPP model and the expertise of UK banks, law firms and technical advisers in the area.
The Maltese Ministry of Finance then put out to tender the roles of legal, financial and technical advisers.
Construction partner Marshall Levine and competition partner James Robinson have been appointed special advisers to the Ministry of Finance, working alongside Portuguese firm Mamo TCV Advocates. UK consultancies International Capital Partnerships and PPP Solutions are also advising the Ministry of Finance.
FFW will advise on the framework PPP documentation and a pilot project for the construction of a home for the elderly. Projects involving roads, transport, education and sports are also earmarked for the PPP programme.
The appointment is a coup for FFW, which radically ramped up its PPP/PFI practice last year. Levine joined FFW in November 2004 from Linklaters, where he was head of construction and engineering, to lead the firm’s global push into PPP.
Malta is expected to manage a handful of projects annually and provide at least £200m of investment over the coming years.
