15 April 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – French Public Private Partnership (PPP) project – research institute within the CHNO (Centre Hospitalier National d’Optalmologie) des Quinze-Vingts eye hospital in Paris considered as the first PPP in France.
Linklaters has advised the “Caisse des dépôts et consignations”, the “Caisse nationale des caisses d’épargne” and ICADE for the project involving the design, financing and creation of a clinical and biomedical research institute on the site of the Centre Hospitalier National d’Ophtalmologie (CHNO) des Quinze-Vingts (Central Eye Hospital) in Paris. Established in the 13th century (by Saint -Louis), the CHNO is one of the oldest and most prestigious eye hospitals in the world. The Institut de la Vision is a partnership between the CHNO, the Université Pierre et Marie Curie, INSERM and the Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild.
The total cost of the 30-year project is estimated at EUR 30 million. The deal is about to be signed, with construction due to start this month, and completion expected in just over 19 months time.
The transaction has been reported in the French press as the first PPP project since the French government launched its recent PPP policy. In allowing public/private partnerships, the government aims to speed up the completion of complex public building constructions in France. It is also the first important healthcare sector PPP outside the “Plan Hôpital 2007” to be awarded.
Paul Lignières, head of public law – PPP department, Linklaters in Paris, said:
“We are proud to have taken part in such a pioneering project which will open the way to similar partnerships between public and private sectors in France. Considering the long-standing public tradition of our country, this is indeed a big step forward”.
The Linklaters team included Paul Lignières (public law/PPP), Bertrand Andriani (projects), Simon Ratledge, Ruxandra Lazar and Nicolas Panayotopoulos.
