Plan for Colombian-Peruvian border zone

(Caracas, March 27, 2009).- With the objective of supporting the formulation of a development plan for the Colombian-Peruvian border integration zone, CAF officially launched an international call for proposals, in the framework of the Border Cooperation and Integration Fund (COPIF).

The aim is to prepare a long-term Development Plan, with actions to be executed in the short and medium term, for the Colombian-Peruvian border integration zone in the territory comprising Maynas and Ramón Castilla provinces in Loreto department, Peru; and Amazonas department and Puerto Leguízamo municipality in Putumayo department, in Colombia.

CAF President & CEO Enrique García said, "the objective of COPIF is to support and finance the timely identification, preparation and execution of high impact projects which promote sustainable human development in border regions and strengthen cooperation, dialogue, mutual confidence and border integration at bilateral and multilateral levels."

The plan aims to strengthen processes of sustainable economic, productive, social, environmental and institutional development in the Border Integration Zone (ZIF) in four priority areas. It will also raise the quality of life and improve the personal security of border populations, generating employment, reducing poverty, improving coordination and connectivity with their respective internal spaces and access to basic services and education, while respecting and developing the cultural heritage of the peoples.

Although the two countries are interested in development with a long-term focus, on the occasion of the bicentenary of their independence, they have also agreed on the need for short and medium-term actions to implement the ZIF Development Plan, with CAF support for execution

The international call for proposals was launched on March 23, with a deadline of April 27 for submission of proposals. Interested companies may consult details of the conditions and terms of reference on the CAF portal (www.caf.com).