Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Switzerland: experiences - risks - potentials

The growing pressure for efficiency in Switzerland requires alternative forms of organization for fulfilling public tasks. Following an international trend, Public Private Partnerships are among those topics that are increasingly being discussed. The following article describes this context and communicates experiences gleaned from previous PPP projects in Switzerland. Economic and legal aspects are examined-taking the special characteristics of the Swiss political system into consideration. it is generally concluded that, in Switzerland, there is considerable potential for Public Private Partnerships, particularly in the areas of structural engineering, transportation, and local promotion. Realizing this potential, however, requires considerable effort, at the centre of which is a PPP competency network in which public authorities, private companies, and companies regulated by public law collaborate with organizations and private individuals who deal with PPPs either in the practical realm or the academic setting.