Urupabol Reaffirms Energy Integration Presidents Fernando Lugo, José Mujica and Evo Morales reaffirmed in Asunción their commitment to the physical and energy integration of Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia, which form part of the Urupabol bloc.
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MERCOSUR to Approve Funding for Energy Integration Works At its next biannual summit, MERCOSUR will approve electricity interconnection projects involving Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, among other initiatives for a total of US$575 million to be funded with resources from the MERCOSUR Structural Convergence Fund (FOCEM).
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IDB Announces USD 1.8 Billion Funding for Latin American Integration Projects The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will allocate an annual amount of 1.8 billion dollars to support integration projects in Central and South America and the Caribbean, as announced last Tuesday by IDB President, Luis Alberto Moreno, at a Central American Summit.
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Uruguay, Argentina and Bolivia Subscribe Energy Integration Agreement Ministers of Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay, gathered in Buenos Aires, subscribed last Thursday an energy integration agreement for the three countries, which will facilitate electricity and gas exchange, as reported by the Uruguayan Government in a press release.
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CAF and KfW Join Efforts in Favor of Latin America Both institutions signed an agreement aimed at mitigating climate change effects and addressing regional infrastructure needs, promoting financing and other ways of collaboration in favor of CAF member countries in energy, transport, water and environmental sanitation sectors.
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First Meeting of the UNASUR Infrastructure and Planning Council The first meeting of the Infrastructure and Planning Council of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) was held on Friday, June 18 at the Swissotel Hotel in the city of Quito, Ecuador. The Committee of Ministers of the South American Infrastructure and Planning Council (COSIPLAN) is a forum for political and strategic discussion of projects and programs with aimed at implementing the integration of regional infrastructure in the UNASUR member countries.
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Exports through Postal Services for MSMEs Project. A Multisectoral Delegation from Colombia Visits Peru In order to enhance the implementation process of IIRSA project “Exports through Postal Services for MSMEs” in Colombia, Peru was visited, from May 18th to May 20th, by a Colombian delegation made up of experts from the National Department of Planning, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, the Internal Revenue and National Customs Agency, Proexport Colombia, and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
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Europeans and Latin Americans Sign Aviation Agreements The European Union signed today a civil aviation cooperation agreement with the Latin American Civil Aviation Commission (CLAC) and two other agreements with Brazil in order to promote cooperation in technical and security matters.
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Capricorn Hub Infrastructure Analyzed by Zicosur-Codesul The Zicosur-Codesul Logistics Forum, held in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil —during which an analysis was made of the competitiveness of transportation infrastructure in the bi-oceanic corridor and Capricorn Integration Hub, as defined by IIRSA, which connects central-western Brazil with northern Chile— was closed.
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Regional Projects for USD 76 Billion Were Presented in Bogotá The fifty most important projects in Latin America, with a cost of USD 76 billion, were presented on Wednesday, April 21st, in Bogotá to a group of investors, companies and multilateral bankers, reported meeting organizers.
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Exporting the Exporta Fácil Model Given the successful experience of the Brazilian Government in developing the exports through postal services program known as Exporta Fácil, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) organized a workshop on this project in the city of Bern, Switzerland, on April 19th, 2010.
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South American delegates in Quito to prop up infrastructure integration Delegates from the twelve South American countries will meet in Quito since tomorrow in order to analize and approve a regulation aimed at shoring up infrastructure integration in the region, informed the Ecuadorian Ministry of Strategic Sectors
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Bolivia Plans to Build an Electric Train to Reduce Export Costs For the purpose of lowering transportation costs for the export and import of products between the countries in the region and Asian countries, the doors have been opened to build a rail network for an electric train from Puerto Suárez to Pisiga.
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Bolivia and Brazil Start Dialogue about New Projects in Eight Areas The official visit to Bolivia of Marco Aurelio García, international affairs advisor to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva, which concluded today, marked the beginning of a dialogue between both countries with a view to undertaking projects in five new areas, apart from the sale of natural gas.
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CAF Signs USD 505 Million Contracts for Projects in Ecuador CAF executive president, Enrique García, and the Ecuadorian minister of finance, María Elsa Viteri, signed two loan agreements in favor of Ecuador, totaling USD 505 million. These agreements were subscribed in the Mexican city of Cancún during the 51st Annual Meeting of IDB Board of Governors.
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Financial Resources for Argentina’s Satellite’s Technology CAF approved the disbursement of USD 36 million to finance the design, manufacturing and placement in orbit of a fleet of communications satellites in Argentina. The Argentine technology capacity will be enhanced and there will be an increased coverage of telemedicine and distance education social programs in remote locations or areas.
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IIRSA in the Cancun Declaration The Cancun Declaration resulted from the recent Summit of Unity of Latin America and the Caribbean that took place in the Riviera Maya, Mexico on February 23rd 2010, makes explicit reference to IIRSA in the paragraphs concerning the Physical Integration through Infrastructure
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CAF approved a USD 40 million investment for the Peruvian Infrastructure Fund The Fund will receive contributions from COFIDE (Pension Funds), CAF and IDB, among other investors and financial institutions, and will be administered by Brookfield –AC Capitales. The funds will help meet the countries' needs in infrastructure projects.
Exportafácil arrives at pilot cities and offers training to business persons Within the framework of the implementation of the National Government's project known as “Exports through Postal Services for MSMEs – Exportafácil”, the pilot project was launched in Colombia on December 2nd. Given the importance of coming into close contact with businessmen, Exportafácil was launched with the support of the Chamber of Commerce of Armenia and Cartago, on February 10 and 11, and in Manizales, on February 18.
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Peru celebrates exportation No. 10,000 through the Exporta Fácil system On December 22, 2009, a recognition ceremony was held in Lima to celebrate Exportation No. 10,000 through the Peruvian Simplified System of Exports through Postal Services – Exporta Fácil, a project developed within the framework of the Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America - IIRSA.
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Launch of Exporta Fácil Colombia Pilot Project On December 2nd, 2009, the Government of Colombia officially launched the Exports through Postal Services System known by the “Exporta Fácil” brand, with the financial support of IDB/FOMIN and the technical assistance of Brazil.
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Training Course for Specialists in IIRSA On November 19 through 27, 2009, the second training course on “Exports through Postal Services for SMEs” project, one of the 31 projects included in IIRSA's Implementation Agenda based on Consensus, was held in São Paulo, Brazil.
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Seminar on Exports through Postal Services for MSMEs On November 16 - 18, the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo will host the “High-level Seminar on Exports through Postal Services for MSMEs” organized by the Brazilian Ministry of Communications.
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Exports through Postal Services for SMEs - A multisectoral delegation form Colombia visits Brazil To ensure continuity in the actions taken to implement the “EXPORTS THROUGH POSTAL SERVICES FOR MSMEs (SMALL-, MEDIUM- AND MICRO-SIZED ENTERPRISES)” Project, the Ministry of Communications of Brazil received from July 6 to July 11, 2009, the visit of a Colombian delegation made up of experts from the National Department of Planning; the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism; the Ministry of Communications; the Internal Revenue and National Customs Agency, and Postal Services of Colombia.
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FONPLATA will finance the building of two new bridges The Fund for the Development of the River Plate Basin (FONPLATA) will finance the studies required for the future building of two bridges over the Paraguay river, between Argentina and Paraguay, one to be located in the province of Formosa and the other, in Chaco.
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Launching of Exporta Fácil in Uruguay MSMEs will Export through Postal Services The Simplified Exports System through Postal Services will enable Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises to have access to foreign trade through a dynamic, cheap and simple procedure. The Uruguayan Postal Service offers postal transportation for such exports.
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IIRSA Initiative at Expodesarrollo 2009 IIRSA Initiative, with the support of IIRSA's Colombian National Coordination, was present at Expodesarrollo 2009 with the purpose of disseminating the progress attained in the physical integration process that is taking place in the region.
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Connecting the Region The IIRSA Initiative was created to seek regional integration. Eight years later, the challenge is to maintain a strategy deemed successful. However, some point to the lack of a superior body to unify positions. By Patricia Zvaighaft from América Economía
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IIRSA Outreach Seminars in Peru Within the framework of IIRSA's outreach activities -one of its four strategic courses of action defined for 2006-2010-, the National Bureau for IIRSA Matters under the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Relations in Peru, responsible for IIRSA's National Coordination in the country, has organized four series of seminars for outreach purposes in cities outside the capital.
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IDB to help identify ways of expediting Colombia-Ecuador border crossings Colombia and Ecuador will conduct a study to improve the infrastructure and operation of the Rumichaca and San Miguel border crossings with the objective of facilitating transportation and integration. The study will be supported by the Inter-American Development Bank.
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Paraguay, a new full member of CAF With the signature of both the Multilateral Agency’s Executive President and the Paraguayan Finance Minister, Paraguay joins Argentina, Brazil, Panama and Uruguay and becomes a full member of CAF.
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CAF provides a new South American map service on the web CAF, through its new GeoSUR Program service, makes more than 40 interactive maps from the region of South America available to the general public. This service uses state-of-the-art geospacial technology and was designed and developed by the Corporation with the support of the US Geological Service (USGS)
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The SEP, the CODESP, and the IDB meet to discuss the Port of Santos expansion plan The Brazilian Port Secretariat (SEP), the Companhia Docas do Estado de São Paulo (CODESP)–the Port of Santos authority–and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will hold their first meeting tomorrow (10/29) at the headquarters of state-owned CODESP to initiate efforts for the design of the Port of Santos Development and Expansion Plan, one of the projects included in the portfolio of the Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America (IIRSA).
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Argentina and Chile to invest US$ 43.5 million in border passes Argentina and Chile will invest 43,5 million dollars in the next two years to improve access in 13 border passes connecting both countries, said today to EFE a source from the National Road Bureau (DNV). Most of the investment will be made in the four passes with the highest traffic volume, as indicated in the agreement signed by the general manager of DNV in Argentina, Nelson Periotti, and his Chilean counterpart, Carlos Rubilar.
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IDB will help Uruguay modernize the Port of Montevideo Resources for new multipurpose cargo wharf and deepening of access channel in a key logistical center for IIRSA. Uruguay will upgrade the Port of Montevideo facilities to enhance the port’s efficiency and reduce maritime and river transportation costs with support from a US$40 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank.
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IDB´s Financial Support to the “Duplication of Palhoça-Osorio Leg (Rodovia Mercosur)” project The Inter-American Development Bank has granted a US$100 million loan to help Brazil expand its Florianopolis-Osorio highway capacities. This highway forms part of the “Duplication of Palhoça-Osorio Leg (Rodovia Mercosur)” project, one of the 31 strategic projects within IIRSA’s Implementation Agenda Based on Consensus (AIC) 2005-2010. (See information on this AIC project). This Agenda, with its 31 strategic projects, was approved by IIRSA Steering Committee in November 2004 and submitted to the South American Presidents during the Cusco Summit in December 2004. ( See information on AIC).
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Presidents Sign Agreement to Boost the “Northern Corridor” The past July 18th, in the city of Riberalta, Bolivia, the President of that nation, Evo Morales, signed with his counterparts from Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, two agreements for the construction of the so called "Northern Corridor", which will link the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and connect dozens of border towns in Bolivia, Brazil and Peru.
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FONPLATA Technical Cooperation finances preinvestment of two IIRSA projects On March 12, 2008, the FONPLATA Executive Board approved a Binational (Argentina-Paraguay) Contingent Recovery Technical Cooperation aimed at financing the pre-investment stage (feasibility studies) of the following IIRSA's physical integration projects to enhance territorial connectivity:
Enhancement of Clorinda-Metropolitan Area of Asunción node
Enhancement of Ñeembucú – Río Bermejo node
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Training course for consultants involved in the "Exports through Postal Services for MSMEs" project The first Training Course for consultants involved in the “Exports through Postal Remittances for MSMEs” Project, one of the 31 projects within IIRSA's Implementation Agenda based on Consensus concluded last Friday, April 4th. This course, organized jointly by the Brazilian Ministry of Communications, the Postal Service Company in Brazil, and the Inter-American Development Bank, will surely contribute to the strengthening of the 24-member team created to support the implementation of activities to be conducted within the framework of this project.
CAF approved the partial funding of a Railway Infrastructure Program designed to integrate both countries.
This approval aims at financially supporting the completion of a series of rail infrastructure works in the border city of Posadas, in Argentina.
This adds to the loan already given by this financial institution in the first quarter of 2007 for road infrastructure works, which amounted to US$ 110 million.
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Santa Cruz - Cotoca works are soon to begin With an amount of US$16 million funded by CAF and a local contribution of US$7 million, Santa Cruz-Cotoca road leg is about to be constructed. This is part of the road project known as Santa Cruz – Puerto Suárez. The completion of this project, a key component of the Central Interoceanic Hub included in the Implementation Agenda based on Consensus, will connect Pacific with Atlantic ports.
Integration and Trade Journal N° 28 The Inter-American Development Bank, through the Institute for the Integration of Latin America and the Caribbean (INTAL), has recently published the English version of issue 28 of its Integration and Trade Journal (January-June 2008), which includes a selection of articles analyzing, from different perspectives, the development of infrastructure with a view to the physical integration of the region. Most articles in this issue focus on the experience gathered so far in South America, but others explore the realities in other regions in relation to the same topic.
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IDB to finance study targeting improved ground transportation between Chile and Argentina Technical Cooperation under the IIRSA Initiative Framework . The Inter-American Development Bank announced on February 28th the approval of a US$880,000 donation to finance a study of the conditions surrounding international transportation in border crossings between Argentina and Chile. Ground transportation involving border crossings is a priority for the Initiative for the Regional Integration of Infrastructure in South America (IIRSA) framework.
IIRSA/CITEL Workshop - International Roaming Services for Mobile Telecommunications On March 11th, 2008 the Workshop on “International Roaming Services for Mobile Telecommunications”, jointly organized by IIRSA and CITEL, took place in Washington DC (United States of America). This event, linked to the meeting of CITEL’s Permanent Advisory Committee (CCP.I), helped make a diagnosis to support the implementation of the South American Roaming Agreement project, one of the 31 projects within IIRSA’s Implementation Agenda Based on Consensus. See workshop Read More
Launching of Training Workshops on IIRSA’s Strategic Environmental and Social Evaluation Methodology (EASE) On April 16-18 the first workshop on IIRSA's Strategic Environmental and Social Evaluation Methodology was held in the city of Lima, Peru, for governmental officials from Bolivia, Chile and Peru. The second workshop took place in Quito, Ecuador, on April 22-24 for officials from Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. The next workshop will take place in Buenos Aires on May 13-15 for governmental officials from Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay; in Brasilia, on May 27-19 for governmental official from Brazil and in Paramaribo, on July 8-10 for officals from Guyana and Suriname.
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IDB Supports IIRSA’s Study for Expansion and Harmonization of Mobile Roaming Services The Inter-American Development Bank announced today the approval of a US$400,000 technical cooperation grant to finance a regional study of international roaming in mobile telecommunications networks in South America, which allow people to use their mobile phones abroad. The study will be conducted over the course of 2008 and will provide an analysis of the current situation regarding the financial, taxation, regulatory, and technological aspects associated with the roaming agreements in force.
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Business Creativity Award 2007 Goes to Peruvian “Exporta Fácil” The pilot implementation of the Peruvian “Exporta Fácil” (Easy Export) Service has recently received the Business Creativity Award in one of the categories of this prize, which is granted by Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC). This distinction adds to the good results achieved by Peruvian Exporta Fácil since its inception in July 2007. This service is part of the “Exports Through Postal Remittances Project for MSMEs,” one of the 31 priority projects included in IIRSA’s Implementation Agenda based on Consensus (AIC, in Spanish).
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Exports through Postal Services for MSMEs Latin American and Caribbean Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) have traditionally had a low share in the international trade, due to the high costs involved and the complexity of procedures, formalities and requirements that have to be faced by companies who wish to export.
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IDB approves US$1,155,000 grant for preparation of IIRSA road project in Bolivia The Inter-American Development Bank announced on August 10th, 2007 it has approved a US$1,155,000 grant to support the preparation of the Caranavi-Quiquibey-Yucumo road project in Bolivia, one of the priority projects of the Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America (IIRSA).
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IDB Fund approved technical cooperation to support the AIC project "Exports through Postal Services for SMEs" The Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced in June, 2007 the approval of a $1.5 million grant for technical cooperation for a pilot project to launch a simplified postal export system in Peru, Uruguay and other countries in the region, under the Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America(IIRSA).
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Meeting of the GTE of the Amazon Hub The Meeting of the Executive Technical Group (GTE) of the Amazon Hub took place at the Windsor House Hotel in the city of Bogota, Colombia and counted with the presence of representatives of the countries involved in this Hub as well as the institutions that conform the Technical Coordination Committee (CCT) of IIRSA.
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GTEs Meetings of the Central Interoceanic and Peru-Brazil-Bolivia Hubs For the year 2007 IIRSA’s member countries have undertaken to review -at the level of GTE in each EID- the IIRSA Portfolio’s projects deemed necessary, taking into account both the development plans of each country and the common South American objective of integration and development. It is in line with this that it took place the first GTE planned for this year in the schedule of activities corresponding to the Central Interoceanic and Peru-Brazil-Bolivia Hubs.
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IIRSA in the Leadership Forum in San Pablo On November 29, 2006, the Initiative for the Infrastructure Integration of South America was present at the Leaderhip Forum held at the Memorial of Latin America, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Forum gathered more than 350 investors from the region and elsewhere, representing the main companies and banks investing or financing infrastructure projects in Latin America.
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A New Interview: “IIRSA brings us closer together” Last June 2006, we could watch the first of a series of interviews entitled “IIRSA brings us closer together”, a 3 minute 28 second information piece produced by BIDAmérica TV, the audiovisual production team of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), concerned with developing and broadcasting TV programs for Latin America and the Caribbean with the purpose of presenting the trends and tendencies in the social and economic development of the region.
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Integration Fund – Inter-American Development Bank The Inter-American Development Bank approved a reform to the Fund for Technical Cooperation Operations for Infrastructure Integration Initiatives becoming a US$20 million non-refundable fund that will be used to support technical cooperation operations involving the integration of infrastructure projects, particularly those comprised within IIRSA.
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Opening of the Acre River Bridge On January 21st 2006, Brazilian president Lula da Silva inaugurated the binational bridge Asis Brazil (BR) - Iñapari (PE) on the Acre river, in the state of Acre, Brazil, which borders Peru. This bridge forms part of the Implementation Agenda based on Consensus (AIC) approved by the Executive Steering Committee (CDE in Spanish) in Lima in November 2004.
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