CAF and ministries coordinate Peruvian participation in initiative for integration of South American infrastructure

With the task of implementing in the shortest time possible a space of inter-institutional coordination to identify priority projects of infrastructure integration with neighboring countries, a mission from the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) visited Peru to meet with the president of the Council of Ministers, the Foreign Minister, the Transport and Communications Minister, the Energy and Mines Minister, the Vice Minister of Economy and the presidents of COPRI, OSIPTEL and OSINERG. The projects discussed covered the energy, telecommunications sectors and road, river and rail infrastructure.

As a result of these meetings, September 17 was set as the date for a meeting of these bodies to identify the basic projects, whose execution will receive full support (design, preparation of projects and financing) from the CAF and other multilateral organizations.

This work of coordination carried out by the CAF is part of the initiative for the Integration of South American Regional Infrastructure (IIRSA). Technical experts from the scheme and the CAF representative in Peru, Germán Jaramillo, have held coordination meetings with these public officials.

What is the IIRSA? The initiative for the modernization and development of the regional infrastructure of South America came into being at the summit of South American presidents in Brasilia held from August 30 to September 1, 2000 at the invitation of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

The modernization and development of South American infrastructure was identified by the President Cardoso as one of the five main areas on the summit agenda. The presidents adopted an "Action Plan for the Integration of South American Infrastructure" as an annex to their communiqué. The plan contained proposals and recommendations for the expansion and modernization of the infrastructure with a ten-year horizon, prepared by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Andean Development Corporation (CAF).

To consolidate an integrated regional view on the lines of action for development of the infrastructure, the presidents called a ministerial meeting for December 4 and 5, 2000 in Montevideo, Uruguay. The meeting was attended by the ministers of energy, telecommunications and transport and in some cases by ministers of planning and/or economic development of South American countries, as well as representatives from all the foreign ministries.

At the Montevideo meeting, the technical coordination committee - formed by the IDB, the CAF and FONPLATA - presented an enhanced version of the Action Plan, which identified 12 integration and development hubs and six sectoral processes needed to optimize the competitiveness and sustainability of the logistical chain.

The IIRSA is a multinational initiative, which brings together the 12 countries of South America for the first time. It is also a multi-sectoral initiative in which the transport, energy and importantly telecommunications sectors all participate. The initiative includes mechanisms for coordination between government, multilateral financial institutions and the private sector designed to define the investment plans and programs, and to set priorities for the integration and development hubs, and the specific internal projects.