Friday, August 2, 2013

Mexico Plans Major Port, Rail Investments


The Mexican government says it has plans to revitalize and improve its infrastructure through a five-year program called the Investment Program for Transports and Communications. The program covers highways and roads infrastructure, transport and telecommunication projects.

The major investment, which is expected to be the equivalent of $100 billion (USD), is projected to come from public-private partnerships, according to the government.

Under the Investment Program for Transports and Communications, infrastructure investment would significantly increase compared to that of the administration of the country’s previous president. The program includes seven port projects and three passenger railroad projects as well as 60 road projects including 15 toll-roads, 29 freeways and 16 rural roads.

During the last decade, Mexican ports have gone through a modernizing process that has allowed them to significantly increase cargo movement. Although most of these projects were severely affected by the economic crisis, the gradual economic recovery is allowing the continued development of some of the more important transportation infrastructure projects.

The Mexican government is promoting port project development as part of an effort to improve logistics efficiency and respond to the demand generated by increased international trade. Some of the port projects the government says are to be developed in the next several years include the expansion of the Port of Veracruz and new port facilities in the ports of Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Altamira, Dos Bocas and Tampico.

Although the national investment plan under former Mexico President Felipe Calderon’s administration increased the public and private investment in transportation infrastructure, there are several projects that still need to be developed in order to fill gaps for the transportation of merchandises, products, goods and passengers across the country.

According to the federal government, states like Jalisco, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Michoacan, Queretaro, Puebla, Tlaxcala and Estado de Mexico are likely to be the ones receiving most of the investment during this administration.

More on the infrastructure program and construction opportunities can be seen at http://export.gov/mexico/static/Mexico's%20Infrastructure%20Webinar%20Series%202013-2018%20flyer%204_Latest_eg_mx_064170.pdf.

 

Tags: Investment Program for Transports and Communications, Port of Veracruz, Port of Lazaro Cardenas