Within the framework of the annual congress of the Colombian Chamber of Infrastructure (CCI), he president of this union, Juan Martín Caicedopresented a series of requests and proposals to President Gustavo Petro, aimed at reactivating the economy and promoting the infrastructure sector. Caicedo highlighted the importance of the sector as an engine of economic development for the country, and called for guaranteeing the necessary resources for the execution of key projects in both public works and private initiatives.
One of the main points addressed by Caicedo was the need to ensure adequate financing for the execution of the 21 initiatives of the programs Legality and Reactivation 2.0which require an estimated investment of $3.5 billion by 2025. According to Caicedo, it is essential to have the necessary resources to guarantee the proper development of these projects.
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“Along these lines, we share the approach of the Transportation portfolio, in the sense of leveraging these projects by obtaining credits, eventually with Findeter, which would be supported with future terms, already approved until 2030, for that purpose.”Caicedo noted.
Additionally, Caicedo requested that greater speed be given to program ‘Colombia Avanza 1 and 2’which aims to connect the most remote areas of the country through the construction of tertiary and secondary roads and part of the national highway network. “I would like to extend this invitation to the so-called ‘Community Paths’“, indicated Caicedo, emphasizing the need to strengthen road infrastructure in rural and difficult-to-access areas, to improve connectivity and regional development.
Juan Martín Caicedo, president of the Colombian Chamber of Infrastructure (CCI).
Courtesy
Regarding private initiatives, Caicedo pointed out that one of the biggest challenges facing the sector is providing continuity to the portfolio of airport projects. Among these, he highlighted projects such as the new Cartagena airport, El Dorado Max and its flight field, as well as airports in the southwest, such as Alfonso Bonilla Aragón.
According to Caicedo, these projects represent a investment close to $27 billion pesosa significant figure that, according to him, would be difficult to incorporate into the State budget. Therefore, he stressed the importance of continuing with the model of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)which allows large infrastructure projects to be carried out with the support of the private sector.
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“If we add the investment of each of the aforementioned initiatives, we are talking about resources close to $27 billion. A considerable amount that the State could hardly incorporate into its budget. That is why this model is vital”Caicedo noted.
The ICC president also called for maintaining and strengthening the model of the APPhighlighting the need to create a climate of trust for the financiers and shareholders of these projects, under a framework of legal certainty. In this context, he highlighted the importance of future validity as a key mechanism to leverage PPP projects..
“Since I’m talking about future validity periods, an essential figure to leverage PPP projects, let me now put on the table the importance of reestablishing toll rates. In that sense, we welcome the recent announcements by ministers María Constanza and Ricardo Bonilla, according to which – before the end of the year – the pending adjustment of 4.64% will be made.”Caicedo explained.
Infrastructure
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In addition to the proposals regarding financing, Caicedo suggested continuing along the line of new sources of financing for infrastructure works, among which he mentioned the instrument of “works for taxes”.
“Now how appropriate it would be to strengthen and even explore new sources to finance infrastructure works. In several scenarios we have said, for example, that the ‘works for taxes’ instrument – whose effectiveness is proven – could well be strengthened, which your government has achieved satisfactorily.“, indicated Caicedo. According to the leader, By 2024, the space available in this modality will reach one trillion pesos, which could be a significant source of resources for infrastructure projects..
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Another topic highlighted by Caicedo was valuation as an additional source of income to finance infrastructure works. At this point, He emphasized the need for the resources from this mechanism to be invested in projects located in the regions where the contribution is applied..
“The mechanism could be viable, among others, because it already has support and a legal framework. Of course, I draw attention to the convenience of investing the resources – coming from the valorization – in projects located in the regions where the contribution is applied.”Caicedo pointed out. He clarified, however, that these resources should not replace other sources of financing already established in infrastructure contracts.
Infrastructure
National Infrastructure Agency
Regarding the management of projects in Bogotá, Caicedo highlighted the importance of making institutional adjustments to overcome the difficulties that have historically arisen in the execution of works in the capital. In particular, mentioned the need to create an entity that leads true high-level inter-institutional coordinationand suggested a reengineering of the Urban Development Institute (IDU) to improve its management capacity.
“To bring the execution of this portfolio of works to a successful conclusion, it is essential to make institutional adjustments, with the purpose of overcoming the difficulties that, historically, have stood in the way of the proper development of the capital’s works. I am specifically referring to the creation of an entity that leads true inter-institutional coordination – at the highest level – and, in the same way, to the urgent need to carry out a profound re-engineering of the IDU.”Caicedo stated. He also mentioned that many of the delays in the works are not attributable to the contractors, but to problems in the management of the IDU.
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Finally, Caicedo called for the defense of the standard specifications, a tool that has been key to standardizing contractual processes in Colombia and avoiding improper routing practices. “We all know what the standard specifications have meant and mean for the union. An instrument that standardizes pre-contractual documents and avoids their addressing; practice that previously – in an unacceptable manner – enabled only bidders, who ended up being the winners of the contracts”Caicedo recalled. According to him, The implementation of this tool has made it possible to guarantee competition and transparency in the selection of contractors.
In terms of pending accounts, Caicedo also mentioned that he had met with the Minister of Finance, Ricardo Bonilla, to discuss the payment of a debt of 500 million pesos that Invías has with consulting, auditing and construction firms in construction projects. public. These invoices are already six months late, but, according to Caicedo, Minister Bonilla assured that the debts will be paid before the end of the year.
PAULA GALEANO BALAGUERA
Portfolio Journalist
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