Private Finance Initiative

The private finance initiative (PFI) in the United Kingdom is a type of procurement policy in which the public sector contracts public projects and initiatives to private sector companies. PFIs are similar to public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the United States. However, the public sector later pays interest to private firms.

This type of procurement has many advantages and helps finance projects for the public good immediately. This reduces the financial burden on the public sector and the taxpayers. Private firms, too, benefit from the partnership and receive guaranteed payments regularly. PFIs are mostly associated with construction projects.

• The private finance initiative is a scenario in which the government contracts large-scale projects to private companies.
• The private companies fund the project and oversee its completion, and in most cases, also manage the operation. It is similar to offering a tender or leasing a project to a third party.
• PFIs are a product of industrialization, privatization, and financialization in the modern era.
• Though advantageous to the public and private sectors, Private finance initiative models have some disadvantages and are often heavily criticized by the public, as they might promote capitalist interests.

The private finance initiative procurement method is one of the many economic models that is gaining prominence in many countries. This is due to two factors – the requirement and the advantages. 

Firstly, there might be situations where the public demands something, but the government cannot fulfill it due to financial constraints. In such cases, the government can entrust the private sector companies to implement a project. Secondly, such an initiative is most advantageous to the government too. 

Earlier, the government implemented most projects with the revenue they collected and borrowed from banks or other countries. But opening up the field to private players and simultaneously reaping the benefits might seem like one of the best options in this fast-moving world.

The private finance initiatives procurement method has become popular due to the many economic factors – modernization, digitization, globalization, etc. These factors have made life easier to a greater extent and at the macroeconomic level too.

Understanding the difference between public-private partnerships and private finance initiatives is important. Both are the same concepts, except that the former is used more widely, and the latter is used in the United Kingdom.

Consider the following examples of private finance initiative contracts.

Example #1

Let’s begin with a hypothetical example. Country X, a developing nation, wants to construct highways linking ten cities. Their objective is to increase connectivity and support the industries in the cities. The local government contracted the project to a construction company, Z. The cost of the project was estimated at $18 million. As per the contract, the government would pay $165,000 to the company every month for ten years. This would be at an interest rate of 10%.

Example #2

Here’s recent news about a Private finance initiative model in Puerto Rico’s ship docks as a part of the territory’s $425 million project to boost tourism. The project aims to make Puerto Rico the Caribbean’s main cruise ship destination.

The subsidiary of London-based Global Ports Holding, the San Juan Cruise port, will oversee and operate the port as part of a 30-year deal. According to the contract, the Puerto Rican government will receive at least 5% of the San Juan Cruise port’s gross income.

Having understood the basics of PFIs, let’s move on to their merits and demerits.

#1 - Advantages

• PFIs decrease the financial burden on the taxpayers and the government.
• It benefits the private sector by allowing them to work on large-scale projects alongside the public sector.
• The private sector is usually considered more efficient than the government institutions, which are often associated with lax, corruption, etc. Hence, the project can be completed faster and more effectively through PFIs, as it is a matter of reputation for the firms.
• It can also help finance important projects immediately if the government cannot do so. For example, the construction of hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Such an arrangement can reduce the associated risks for the public sector.
• Finally, PFIs will help build stronger relationships between the public and private sectors.

#2 – Disadvantages

• Opponents of PFIs argue that it encourages privatization and capitalist interests. This might be true if left unchecked. Hence, absolute control should be with the government. Otherwise, the exploitation of people and resources cannot be ruled out.
• Since the private sector payment includes interest, the government will have to pay more than they would have had they financed the project directly. Also, this additional cost would eventually be transferred to the taxpayers.
• Some critics argue that firms will not adhere to safety standards or use low-quality materials to reduce project costs. 
• Lastly, a project often involves completion and operation. The latter will further increase the total cost and the financial burden on the public sector.

This article has been a Guide to Private Finance Initiative and its definition. Here we explain its examples along with advantages and disadvantages. You can also go through our recommended articles on corporate finance –

• Project Finance
• Public Sector vs Private Sector
• Project Finance vs Private Equity