The conflicts and risks in BOT projects

Abstract

With a foreseeable, constrained financial status of a government, it is a feasible way to make public infrastructures viable for private sectors to participate. This concession can create a win-win situation for both the government and the private company. It also generates the maximum benefit for the public and the society if the project is well organized. Besides, private participation brings efficiency into infrastructure field and spur the economy in the long run. The degree of government involvement is vital to the success of a BOT project. If the government imposes too many restrictions on the project, it stifles the incentives. If the government helps the concessionaire too much, the project deviates from the main spirit of BOT delivery method. As a case study, the Taiwan High Speed Rail Project is discussed. This project changed its planned financial structure after the project encountered different difficulties in both debt and equity financing. However, the Taiwan government played an active role to help the project proceed. From this case study, one can also see how risks are allocated through different contractual agreements.