Simply final June 10, a contentious administrative chamber declared the nullity of the contracts entered into by Empresa Portuaria Quetzal and APM Terminals Quetzal in 2012 in order that this firm might function the container terminal within the Pacific, so now The federal government is in search of alternate options to ensure that the operations of that strategic level for worldwide commerce proceed.
On this sense, the Minister of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing, Félix Alvarado, declared in the present day that “the precedence on this framework is to ensure the continuity of the service. The container terminal operates with probably the most confirmed mannequin of cargo dealing with in port and dropping that exercise, the shape and the operation mannequin is what Guatemala can’t afford to do within the present context.”
From this account, he commented that to ensure the continuity of the mannequin, a global public tender will probably be launched that offers long-term certainty to each the State of Guatemala and whoever needs to compete and procure the award of the operation.
The official elaborated that the method to handle the terminal should be analyzed as a result of it doesn’t matter who does it, however how. “Working the port with this container terminal is a lot better when it comes to effectivity, time, price and advantages than a standard operation just like the one which existed within the Sixties.”
Subsequently, the method should be designed rigorously, “since they’re companies that contain very massive actors and the pursuits of the State and Guatemalan society should be protected. What is required in a really tight setting with deadlines is to ensure that the way in which the port operates doesn’t fall, as a result of if we lose that, we’re in deep trouble as a result of 60% of the nation’s worldwide site visitors passes via there.” .
The official didn’t point out how lengthy the method will be accomplished, because the tempo is dictated by laws, nevertheless it may very well be comparatively lengthy (months, a yr or extra). In the meantime, consultations are being held with quite a lot of public, non-public, nationwide and worldwide actors to listen to recommendation and recommendation as “everybody has an opinion about how this matter is resolved.”
When requested if APM might compete in that occasion, he responded that “any provider that meets the required necessities is completely free to resolve in the event that they wish to compete for it.”
Concerning whether or not this might be the second public-private alliance (PPP) undertaking, the official indicated that the mannequin that will probably be used will come from what’s completed being developed on this design. In any case, “the dialogue has to achieve Congress and that’s one other vital level as a result of the deputies have an especially vital position to play when it comes to not placing their pursuits and people they symbolize first, however fairly the nationwide curiosity.”
Concerning whether or not the method of the Container Terminal and the La Aurora Airport introduced on Tuesday the 18th by the federal government must be based mostly on Anadie’s legislation, the official stated that it’ll rely upon the method or mannequin that’s given.
Mineco: Authorities ensures the operation of EPQ
Individually, in a press launch, the Minister of Financial system, Gabriela García, expressed that the Authorities is working to keep away from the paralysis of the loading and unloading of merchandise and that the perfect is for the present mannequin to be maintained.
To this finish, he stated, the Authorities evaluates viable mechanisms, exploring alternate options and options to ensure that the operations of Empresa Portuaria Quetzal (EPQ) proceed.
So far, the port’s work has continued usually and has not been interrupted, Mineco added.
- The nation’s international commerce reached US$14,194 million in exports in 2023 and US$30,318 million in imports.
- 65% of this, that’s, US$28,945 million, corresponds to merchandise that enters and exits by sea: Pacific and Atlantic.
- US$15,128 million passes via the Pacific, which represents 52% of all of the nation’s maritime commerce.
“Mineco analyzes completely different eventualities to supply data to the private and non-private sectors, coordinating efforts to keep away from the cessation of operations,” it was added. And, for which they’ve met with the Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing, the Superintendency of Tax Administration and the Nationwide Port Fee.”
These conferences give attention to making certain that EPQ’s business operations proceed effectively, defending the nation’s economic system and making certain that Guatemala maintains its competitiveness within the world market, since a doable cessation of operations wouldn’t solely have an effect on commerce, but additionally the native economic system, employment and funding in company social accountability within the area, Mineco added.
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