[Project financing in public hospital trusts]

Area of Science:

• Economics
• Public Policy

Context:

• The increasing use of private capital for public works.
• European countries adopting project finance (PF) and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
• Italy's adoption of PF and PPPs in healthcare since the late 1990s.

Purpose:

• To analyze the role and growth of project finance and PPPs in public infrastructure development.
• To highlight Italy's specific application and growth trends in healthcare sector financing.
• To assess the effectiveness of PF and PPPs in addressing infrastructure deficits and enhancing public services.

Summary:

• Project finance and public-private partnerships are gaining traction across Europe for infrastructure development.
• Italy has seen substantial growth (10.9% annually since 2002) in PF and PPPs, particularly for modernizing healthcare facilities.
• These financial models are crucial for bridging the infrastructure gap and boosting competitiveness.

Impact:

• PF and PPPs offer viable solutions for infrastructure deficits and improving public service quality.
• Successful implementation requires strategic planning and supportive central policies.
• The trend indicates a shift towards private sector involvement in public infrastructure financing.