OIA is participating in the prestigious ‘Transcontinental Infrastructure to 2030/50' research project of OECD. The Project follows on from the work undertaken in the OECD ' s renowned ‘ Infrastructure to 2030' Report published in 2006-07 and focuses on gateways, hubs and corridors, which were not encompassed in the earlier report. The objectives include identifying projections and scenarios to 2015 / 2030 / 2050, opportunities and challenges facing gateways and hubs, assessing future infrastructure needs and financing models, drawing conclusions and identifying policy options for future.

Naveen B. Sharma, Head, Planning & Strategy, represented OIA at the first meeting of the Project Steering Group, held at OECD Headquarters on 19 November 2009 and at the ‘Special Workshop on Transport Infrastructure Funding' on the following day. The Steering Group included 27 high level government officials, business executives and representatives from: Ministries, international organizations (EC, EIB) and private enterprises.

The Steering Group deliberated on the progress of the project and made recommendations for future course of the Project. The final Report is expected to be published by early 2011.

The Special Workshop on November 20 facilitated an international exchange of experiences with the different infrastructure financing models and identify models for the future. Naveen Sharma, being the only participant from the developing world, shared the experience and issues on infrastructure financing from the perspective of India and Africa.