New Latin American Association of Logistics

(Montevideo, May 9^th, 2014). During an event organized by the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI, for its acronym in Spanish), with the support of CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, the Latin American Association of Logistics (ALALOG, for its acronym in Spanish) was re-launched. This activity, which was carried out at ALADI's headquarters in Montevideo, started with the signing of a cooperation agreement between ALALOG, the National Institute of Logistics (INALOG, for its acronym in Spanish), the National Direction of Customs in Uruguay (DNA, for its acronym in Spanish), and the National Port Administration of Uruguay (ANP, for its acronym in Spanish). 

ALALOG is a nonprofit legal entity that groups associations and logistics chambers of the ALADI member countries. Its main objectives are dissemination, exchange of experiences, and the development of logistic activity in the region, as it is a strategic sector to promote economic development in Latin American countries. 

During the presentation, Antonio Juan Sosa, CAF's Vice-President of Infrastructure, referred to the role of the multilateral credit organization as a generator and disseminator of knowledge regarding logistics. In this respect, he placed a special emphasis on the report Infrastructure in the Comprehensive Development of Latin America (IDEAL, for its Spanish acronym), which CAF has published for three years. In its 2012 edition, there is a special report regarding logistic activity. 

It was also noted that CAF is the main source of multilateral financing for infrastructure projects in the region. Sosa stated that "investment in infrastructure is one of the key factors; therefore, it is one of the priorities in the comprehensive development model that CAF promotes for Latin America, and it is specifically in this comprehensive idea that logistics plays an essential role". 

At the same time, Carlos Alvarez, General Secretary of ALADI, indicated that a decade ago, the fight against protectionism was the main concern in order to strengthen intra-regional trade, but maintained that this approach has changed. He explained that currently, the issue is the "facilitation of trade" through logistics, connectivity, infrastructure, and the use of new technologies. 

The President of ALALOG, Juan Carlos Rodriguez Blanco, highlighted the contribution of the organization's new web page (www.alalog.org), which will be available in the next few days. The website will be presented as "a doorway where best practices converge, where the different subjects of interest for the sector are analyzed, and where the education of human capital is promoted". 

Beatriz Tabacco, President of INALOG, was satisfied with the development of a regional platform aimed at the development of the logistics sector. She highlighted how important it is for Uruguay to provide logistic services for other countries in the region. 

During this meeting there were other speakers such as Alberto Diaz, President of ANP; Maria Luisa Suarez, in charge of DNA's Dispatch; and Cesar Llona, Under-Secretary of ALADI's Free Trade Area Development. 

Another speaker was Rafael Farromeque, Senior Specialist in Logistics from the Direction of Analysis and Sectorial Policies of CAF's Vice-Presidency of Infrastructure, who presented the Latin American Regional Logistics Development Program (LOGRA). Its objective is to "identify, analyze, promote, carry out, and disseminate projects and programs that contribute to the development and competitive performance of national logistic systems, generating knowledge with a differentiating value". 

The program will generate a positioning in the value chains, internationalization of services, and reduction of logistics costs, generating specialized employment with a greater investment in specialized infrastructure. 

Other speakers included Natalia Nion, Executive Secretary of ALALOG; Marcelo Arce, Vice-President of ALALOG, as well as a member of the Argentinean Association of Entrepreneurial Logistics; Francisco Vasquez, Vice-President of ALALOG, as well as a member of the Peruvian Association of Logistics Professionals; and Oswaldo Barriga Karlbaum, General Manager of the Santa Cruz Chamber of Exporters, in Bolivia.