Activities
V Working Group Meeting of Antofagasta – 2017
3 de November 2017
Event: V Meeting of the Working Group of the Bioceanic Road Corridor Puerto Murtinho – Ports of Northern Chile
Location: Antofagasta, Chile
Date: November 3, 2017
Activity Objective
To evaluate the progress achieved since the Joint Declaration of Asunción and to formulate recommendations to address the remaining challenges, initiating a new cycle of implementation with an integrated and multisectoral approach.
Activity Description
The meeting was presided over by the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs of Chile, Mr. Edgardo Riveros, and attended by delegations from Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil, led by their respective high-level representatives.
Work Agenda Report on the seminar “Bioceanic Road Corridor Puerto Murtinho – Ports of Northern Chile”:
- Highlighted the participation of authorities, public and private sector experts, and academics. Topics covered:
- Infrastructure and Logistics Platform of the Corridor.
- Trade facilitation, regulation, and value chains.
- University Network and support from academic centers. Identified road and physical infrastructure projects and highlighted the need to advance in a coordinated manner in all areas, particularly in border control services.
Report and evaluation of the progress in the implementation of the Bioceanic Road Corridor:
- Bidding process and infrastructure works in the Chaco area and the international bridge Puerto Murtinho – Carmelo Peralta (Paraguay):
- Agreement with Brazil for the construction of the bridge, pending parliamentary approval.
- Paving of the route between Carmelo Peralta and Loma Plata in the bidding process.
- Situation of the Jama Pass, Sico and road works linked to the corridor (Argentina):
- Commitment of more than US$1.1 million for the construction of facilities at the Jama Pass.
- Repaving and transformation of Route 34.
- Results of the Campo Grande – Antofagasta Caravan (Brazil):
- A video of the journey was shown, highlighting infrastructure advances and the positive impact on communities along the route.
Conclusions and Agreements
- Creation of a Business Network: To strengthen public-private linkage and association.
- Proposal of Program and Future Action Guidelines: Adopted with observations reflected in the attached document.
- Project of Joint Declaration of Presidents: To promote the development of the second implementation cycle.
- Preparation of a Joint Presidential Declaration: To be presented at the Mercosur Summit of Heads of State in December.
- Emphasis on the fluidity of border control services: As a key factor for the operationality and sustainability of the corridor.
