Six consortiums interested in Paita port concession, to be awarded October 22

Peru's state agency for the promotion of private investment ProInversión announced that six private consortiums are interested in the Paita port concession, in Piura region, state news agency Andina reported.

The concession will be awarded on October 22 and it is the only port concession that will be awarded this year, according to ProInversión executive director David Lemor.

Pisco port (Ica region) and the fluvial port of Yurimaguas (Loreto) will be awarded in the first half of 2009.

"In the Yurimaguas port, there is a strong will on behalf of the authorities and the local population to hand it over in concession," Lemor was quoted as saying by Andina.

Yurimaguas is different to other concessions as the terminal needs to be built in a different location.

Lemor said the delay in awarding Pisco port was not ProInversión's responsibility and that the transport and communications ministry announced the delay due to certain problems in the process.

Pisco port was affected by an earthquake in August 2007 and has an insurance claim for damage. The amount to be paid has not yet been established, Lemor said.

He added that it has still not been decided whether the insurance claim will be part of the concession process, as it could be used to improve the financial attractiveness of the project.

"It would not make much sense to receive an insurance compensation and make repairs that might be modified later by the concessionaire," Lemor said.

Previously, deputy transport minister Carlos Puga said that the concession of the fluvial ports Pucallpa (in Ucayali) and Iquitos (Loreto) would be awarded in the first quarter of 2009.

Publication: Business News Americas - English News
Provider: Business News Americas
Date: September 2, 2008