US$18 million approved for Bolivian roads

An US$18 million loan was approved for the Republic of Bolivia for the Road Maintenance Program being implemented by the National Road Service with private sector participation.

The agreement was signed during the IDB Annual Meeting in Barcelona, Spain, by CAF President & CEO Enrique García, and Bolivian Ministry of Finance Fernando Candia.

CAF is an international financial institution formed by Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, together with shareholders Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago.

This loan is part of the Corporation's policy of promoting participation by private investment in the provision and development of physical infrastructure, especially road, transport, energy and telecommunications, areas traditionally reserved for the State.

The Road Maintenance Program includes regular, routine and emergency highway maintenance, rehabilitation of bridges, acquisition of weighing equipment for cargo control, construction and maintenance of control structures, road signs and installation of safety barriers.

It also contains an institutional component to strengthen the technical and administrative capacity of the units responsible for maintenance of the Bolivian road network.

The CAF funds will finance the execution and technical supervision of the maintenance of sections of highways by private construction companies.