The proposed project aims to build the capacities in four selected less developed countries, Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Myanmar, in engaging the private sector in infrastructure development. All of these countries have expressed interest in further involving the private sector in developing major infrastructure projects, particularly using the public-private partnership, or PPP, modality. However, they are still in the process of establishing effective policy frameworks on PPPs, in terms of legislation, fiscal management and other related regulations. They also require substantial upgrading of technical skills and institutional capacities to design and manage PPP projects. The project builds on ESCAP’s previous work by improving the preparedness of government agencies in less developed countries to develop and implement PPPs and engage with the private sector. This is done by first, identifying and addressing shortfalls in the policy and legal frameworks in each of these countries; secondly, building the capacity of government officials in designing and implementing PPP projects; and thirdly, by improving access to information about PPPs through the establishment of online knowledge portals in each country and by promoting networking amongst government officials working on PPPs in the region.