In the first six months of the year, government entities from the countries of the region submitted 73 environmental impact studies for the construction of different public infrastructure projects.
The interactive platform "Construction in Central America", from the Trade Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData, provides the updated list of public and private construction projects that present the environmental impact studies (EIA) to the respective institutions of each country.
In August 2017, 36 environmental impact studies were submitted in the centralamerican countries to build sewer systems, roads and government offices, among other things.
Data from the interactive platform "Construction in Central America", compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData:
Details of the ten most important public infrastructure construction projects in terms of investment, for which environmental impact studies were presented in the last year.
Of the 10 most important public construction projects for which Environmental Impact Studies (EIAs) were submitted to the respective authorities in Central American countries between August 2016 and July 2017, the most noteworthy are three that are to be developed in Costa Rica, with an estimated total investment of $437 million.
The OECD has warned that "underinvestment" in infrastructure is a critical element that inhibits the country's ability to trade.
An analysis of the degree of market opening by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), showed positive and negative results, with the most noteworthy among the favorable being an annual increase of 9% in the volume of exports of goods between 1994 and 2013 and a reduction in tariffs and negotiation of free trade agreements.
Deficiencies in the regulatory framework, lack of political will and public capacity to plan and monitor partnerships are the reasons why this model of financing has not been used more fully in the country.
A report called Infrascope, prepared by The Economist Intelligence Unit and FOMIN at the World Bank outlines the reasons why the legal concept of partnerships between state agencies and private businesses is not thriving in Costa Rica.
As the country suffers from a serious crisis of inability to develop public works, one Costa Rican company is helping build the Panama Canal and highways and another infrastructure works in other countries.
EDITORIAL
Costa Ricans do not lack capacity to design and implement large infrastructure projects.One example that confirms this is the participation of MECO in building the third set of locks of the Panama Canal and major roadworks in Colombia.
A publication by the CAF reviews the development of five projects implemented using the public-private partnership model for infrastructure investment in Latin America.
From the Presentation document by the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF):
In recent decades, many Latin American countries have launched public-private partnership projects for the construction, maintenance and operation of public infrastructure.
Of the $200 million from the IDB and which has been available since 2011 for municipal road infrastructure works, up until December 2014 only $29 million has been utilised.
So far, only 14 projects have been completed, a further 43 have been awarded, 102 are in process and 134 are awaiting development. All municipalities can access funds from loans granted by the IDB, however, 10 cantons have not submitted any projects to tender.
Progress is being made for the approval of a bill to authorize the use of 40% of the Pension and Retirement Funds of the Magisterium, equivalent to $1,492 million, to finance public works projects.
From a statement issued by the Board of Pensions of the National Magisterium:
Unanimously, the Committee on Financial Affairs at the Legislative Assembly approved the project to expand the scope of investment fund for the Collective Capitalization Regime (RCC) administered by the Pension Board.
A group of Costa Rican construction companies insists with the proposal made to the previous administration to expand the 107 kilometer of the road to Limon at a cost lower than the Chinese option.
The five builders who suggested their plan to the former officials of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works are once again knocking on the doors of the institution, this time proposing that the current chief, Carlos Segnini, consider the initiative as an alternative to the loan from the government of China, of $465 million.
In Costa Rica a proposal has been made to relax the rules on access to financial and stock markets in order to channel savings and local investment into public infrastructure.
An article on Nacion.com reports that "... A comprehensive reform of the stock market and financial regulation of the country aims to pave the way for funding of public and private infrastructure. "
The World Bank has agreed to maintain funding for some of the works that make up the project to modernize the infrastructure of the port and the city for $72 million.
After having rejected the request to extend the loan for $72 million made by the administration of Luis Guillermo Solís, the World Bank has agreed to review the conditions of the loan and maintain funding only for certain works of the project, which will be defined by the entity depending on what state of advance they are in.
Five Costa Rican construction companies have submitted a joint proposal to take over the expansion to four lanes of 107 miles of kilometers to the Caribbean.
The companies, Codocsa, Desarrollos Mega, Pedregal, Productos de Concreto and Traesa submitted a joint proposal for the expansion to four lanes of the Rio Frio to Limón stretch on Route 32. They did not mention the cost or method of financing, but claim they are charging less than the amount proposed by China Harbour Engineering Company.
A previously called into question local company offered lower prices than international consortia who also submitted bids.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) has awarded to the consortium Hernan Solis-La Estrella the construction of the northern stretch of the ring road, at a cost of $141 million. Work will begin in the first months of 2015 and will take 18 months.
Complaints have been made that the bill awarding construction of the Caribbean route to a Chinese company was approved without preliminary drawings, calculation of materials and study of costs.
Grupo Consenso believes that it is "unacceptable" that the Committee on Financial Affairs agreed to accept as reasonable the cost presented by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), in the amount of $465 million.