InfraCompass: New tool to navigate for better infrastructure
Sydney - 16 May 2017. Governments across the world will today be able to access a new online tool that is set to transform infrastructure planning.
InfraCompass, launched by the G20’s Global Infrastructure Hub (GI Hub), provides comprehensive data across 49 countries, identifying best practices for infrastructure markets and guiding governments on how to create the best conditions for infrastructure delivery.
The online tool and an accompanying report can be accessed at: infracompass.gihub.org
GI Hub Chief Executive Officer Chris Heathcote says the tool will guide economies on where to make key changes to improve their infrastructure markets.
“The GI Hub is really excited to deliver InfraCompass, and we believe it can really make an impact in helping countries deliver infrastructure.”
The tool has been welcomed by the World Bank.
“We in the World Bank Group are delighted to see the release of InfraCompass. We see it as a key resource for both policy makers and infrastructure investors,” World Bank Public-Private Partnerships Group Senior Director Laurence Carter said.
“The infrastructure gap is a service delivery/governance gap and this excellent, easy-to-use information from the Global Infrastructure Hub provides both a comprehensive overview of how countries are performing as well as areas where action can be taken to improve governance and delivery.”
Globally, infrastructure is a critical issue. The US alone is set to invest $1 trillion developing existing and new assets, and similar spending is being considered around the world as governments seek to boost productivity and economic growth – and deliver key infrastructure.
InfraCompass will help inform these decisions, supporting governments in improving the way they deliver much-needed infrastructure projects. The tool is the first of its kind, and is the culmination of one and a half years spent analysing and compiling 130 existing datasets. The result is a comprehensive, easy to use online database that rates country infrastructure performances in the categories of:
- Institutions and governance
- Regulatory and competition frameworks
- Permits, licences, and land acquisitions
- Plan and select
- Procurement
- Delivery and operations
Mr Heathcote says InfraCompass will assist governments and development agencies identify leading infrastructure practices and the reforms that will have the most impact in their market.
“This is a really important compilation of data all in one online resource that will shine a light on best practices, and show governments where they can improve,” he said.
“All of these factors contribute to the best possible environment for infrastructure markets. InfraCompass is a key part of the GI Hub’s body of work which is aimed at helping to deliver more quality public infrastructure across the globe and creating more liveable communities.”
The leaders, across both developed and emerging countries, in each category were:
Institutions and governance
New Zealand, Germany, Canada, Malaysia, Colombia, and Kenya
Regulatory and competition frameworks:
United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore, Peru, Colombia, and South Africa
Permits, licenses, and land acquisitions:
Singapore, New Zealand, Korea, Rwanda, Malaysia, and Turkey
Plan and select:
United Kingdom, Korea, Canada, South Africa, Mexico, and Kenya
Procurement:
Austria, Denmark, Australia, South Africa, Mexico, and Vietnam
Delivery and operations:
Spain, Austria, USA, Malaysia, Russia, and Nigeria
The GI Hub, established by the G20, has been in full operation from Sydney for the past 18 months, with the aim of promoting reforms and practices to unlock higher levels of investment in infrastructure.