Application of BOT system for infrastructure projects in China

The Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concept has now become an accepted means of securing private-sector involvement in infrastructure projects. The popularity of BOT mechanisms is growing in the developing countries, which offers increasing investment, construction, procurement, and other business opportunities for the investors from developed countries. This paper identifies the major areas where BOT systems are applied in China. Market potential for absorbing foreign investment involved in a BOT system has been evaluated. In particular, the market prospects for power, transportation, and water resource projects are investigated. The study also identifies the enjoyable benefits, other favorable conditions, and key factors affecting the application of BOT in the Chinese infrastructure projects. The government policies on taxation, foreign exchange, and favorable conditions to attract foreign investment to this application are examined. The applicable investment patterns and the procedures of adopting BOT have been investigated, and are presented to assist foreign investors planning to develop infrastructure projects in China.