With the designation of the Manager of the Priority Road Infrastructure Directorate (DIPP), the organized private sector and users expect the implementation of the new model for the development of the road system in Guatemala.
The appointment of Claudia Lucrecia Cáceres Maldonado as the DIPP manager, conducted by the authorities of the Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing (MICIVI) during the call process, has been the first step towards the implementation of the new regulations.
The selection and designation of personnel in other technical areas corresponds, in order to complete the equipment and structure the projects that will be intervened during the period established in the law.
Representatives of the organized private sector and users have reacted to the appointment of Cáceres Maldonado, and one of the coincidences expressed is the expectation of execution of the different projects in the coming months and within the established deadlines.
Interventions
Raúl Bouscayrol, president of the Guatemalan Chamber of Industry (CIG), said that the DIPP is the institution that was expected to integrate to promote investment in the main routes that will be intervened.
He recalled that, under current conditions, there are several problems in the transfer of merchandise and people due to the state of the roads, which causes a loss of competitiveness for the country.
“Any project of these main routes that connect cities with the ports and borders see it with very good eyes”
Raúl Bouscayrol, president of the Guatemala Chamber of Industry
“Any project of these main routes that connect cities with the ports and borders see it with very good eyes,” said the industrial representative. Another important section is the metropolitan rings, which would contribute to avoid the entry of heavy transport to the city of Guatemala and to decongest traffic, which would improve the quality of life of people and competitiveness.
He reiterated that the most important thing is now the formation of the DIPP technical team and the issuance of the regulations, so that this “genuinely begins to operate in the deadlines, although still lacks a lot.”
Jorge Gómez, president of the Board of Directors of Integrated Export Services (SIEX), of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (AGEXPORT), explained that the appointed person has the technical knowledge about the real needs of the country in terms of priority infrastructure.
In his opinion, the work carried out by the DIPP Board of Directors in accordance with the law responds to the need to have a person capable of meeting these requirements and understanding the economic importance of this designation, which has been agility.
On the sections to intervene with this new model, Gómez pointed out that there is a need for infrastructure both in ports and roads, so the directory and the appointed person must assume this responsibility.
“It is an institution that will accelerate the lags that are in infrastructure,” said the manager.
Formalization of projects
The Guatemala International Transport Users Council (Cutriguea) declared that “the Board of Directors will continue to promote a model that allows strengthening the development of infrastructure, within the framework of the DIPP, with functional, economic, technical, financial and administrative independence to achieve what the current system does not allow.”
Meanwhile, AGEXPORT, through a press release, states that the designation of the manager is a sign that the deadlines established by the law to formalize that institution – which will be in charge of implementing the priority road projects – are being fulfilled.
According to this sector, improvements in logistics corridors could reduce transport and import costs up to 25%, so they bet on improving these costs as a mechanism to attract foreign investment.
“The Public-Private Board of Directors, as a governing body and strategic supervision, together with the manager and her team, has the high responsibility to ensure that DIPP is an agile, technical and focused entity on high-impact road projects that improve competitiveness,” highlights the agexport position.
In addition, they advocate compliance with the budgetary expenditures established for this fiscal year, in order to guarantee their financial sustainability.
On November 13, 2024, the Congress of the Republic approved Decree 29-2024, which contains the Priority Infrastructure Law.
Transformation
According to the Foundation for the Development of Guatemala (Fundesa), the road hiring model will be transformed towards one with greater competition, efficiency and transparency in road infrastructure.
- Investment attraction and economic growth: The regulations will attract more direct foreign investment, generate sustained economic growth and strengthen road infrastructure.
- Road Network Management Model: The operation of roads in optimal state may be hired, under the payment scheme by indicators, responsible for the maintenance developer.
- RIGHT OF VIA: The law protects property rights through a declaration of public utility with previous studies, which grants certainty and equity in expropriation processes.
- Modernization: A robust and specialized institution is created to attend the road network.