USD 159 million for roadworks of national impact in Bolivia

In a ceremony held at the Ministry of Development Planning, Minister Rene Orellana and Noemi Villegas, interim President of the Bolivian Highway Administration (ABC, for its acronym in Spanish), signed three credit agreements for a total of USD 159 million with Emilio Uquillas, Representative Director of CAF, Development Bank of Latin America. The resources will be aimed at financing the roadwork projects Caracollo-Colquiri, Yucumo-San Borja, and Villa Granado-Puente Taperas-La Palizada.

The projects also have counterparty resources for USD 124 million granted by the governments of Beni, La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Oruro, as well as the European Investment Bank, which is carrying out parallel funding jointly with CAF.

The three projects are a priority to the country, as they will benefit the departments of La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Beni, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, and Chuquisaca, by improving vehicular trafficability, road safety, and provide dynamism to the economic and commercial movement of surrounding regions.

By improving access to internal and external markets, these works will allow greater productive movement of the agricultural, farming, and industrial sectors, as well as imports and exports in the country, the exchange of products and services with more developed centers, and the connection between the ports on the Pacific and the Atlantic.

Caracollo-Colquiri

Measuring 35.6 kilometers in length, the paved section of Caracollo-Colquiri, which connects the departments of La Paz and Oruro, will be improved and expanded in order to guarantee optimum vehicular traffic and promote a greater integration of Bolivia into international markets, which will significantly benefit mining activities in Colquiri, one of the most important zinc and tin production centers in the country. 

The route will favor the residents of surrounding communities and will optimize the transportation of minerals that are extracted at the mining center. On order to carry out this work, CAF will provide financing for USD 21,2 million for this work

Yucumo-San Borja

The populations of San Borja and Yucumo, located in the department of Beni, will be connected through a paved road that measures 55.6 kilometers in length. This stretch will contribute to guarantee continuous trafficability year round, avoiding frequent cut-offs in the highway during rainy seasons. This will enable a more efficient movement of resources and people, not only in that department but with other populations of the country. 

Furthermore, the rehabilitation and paving of the highway will contribute to the development of the North of Bolivia, an area of significance in terms of natural resources and great opportunities for agricultural exploitation. The Yucumo-San Borja highway will allow Beni's commercial integration with the rest of the country, and will promote productive investments as well as the development of internal tourism. The credit for this work is USD 62.8 million.

Villa Granado-Puente Taperas-La Palizada

The Villa Granado (Cochabamba) - Puente Taperas (border between Cochabamba and Santa Cruz) - La Palizada (Chuquisaca), highway is 99 kilometers long, and financing for USD 75 million will allow for the integration of the three most significant departments in terms of economic activity, which generate 50% of the national GDP. The road connection will facilitate access to trade and attract productive investments for the improvement of the quality of life of 48% of the Bolivian population living in these regions.