Five PPP Case Studies in Latin America

In order to compile the lessons learned in Spain, Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico and Chile in the structuring and management of public-private partnership models, CAF— development bank of Latin America—presented the study: Public-Private Partnership: Learning from experience, in an event co-organized with Panama’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture and Industry (CCIAP).

The Minister of Economy and Finance, Dulcidio de la Guardia, noted that the book “PPP in Latin America: Learning from experience” has a high referential value because it includes academic-practical examples of projects implemented or that could be implemented through the Public-Private Partnership model, highlighting the experience in the region, and stressing the challenges and positive aspects of the projects advanced by such entities. 

Susana Pinilla, CAF Director-Representative in Panama, explained that the publication promotes the dissemination of public-private partnership (PPP) knowledge as a useful tool in developing infrastructure and public services. “The purpose is to help understand successes and failures through the exchange of experiences in the region in order to recognize areas for improvement and recommend best practices,” she said.

The five case studies were selected based on criteria such as geographical coverage, type of project and unique features: an urban public transport interchange in Madrid, two highway concessions in Costa Rica, an airport in Colombia, a municipal administrative center in Mexico and a prison program in Chile. 

The academic-practical document shows the implementation of infrastructure projects in these countries under this financing mechanism, and examines Latin America’s evolution in infrastructure investment through a global vision and describes the future challenges facing the region for PPP implementation.

The keynote speaker was the Minister of Economy and Finance, Dulcidio de la Guardia. The panel featured Horacio Estribi, senior advisor at the MEF, CCIAP’s Felix de Sousa, and Fernando Aramburu Porras, an independent consultant.

Thus, for its shareholder countries, CAF is today rather than a bank, a strategic partner that provides them not only with financing, but support in public policy design. 

To see the full publication, click on http://scioteca.caf.com/handle/123456789/758