Latin American infrastructure is on the GRI agenda

GRI Club will hold Infra Latam GRI 2020 at The Westin Times Square, in New York, on May 14 and 15. This, the fifth edition of the conference, will bring a series of key discussions to unlock investments in the Latin American infrastructure sector, including issues with broad international repercussions, such as political instability in nations in the region and its impact on the international players’ appetite, alternative funding, and concrete business opportunities. 

For two days, senior private sector executives will have the opportunity to discuss the current scenario and the future of infrastructure in Latin America with government officials from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru.

The GRI Club Infra conference will take place at a strategic moment. In 2020, in particular, different Latin American countries will introduce robust projects in the various infrastructure areas.

In Brazil, for example, the Investment Partnership Program (PPI) has a portfolio of 83 projects in progress, according to official February data. In Peru, the Agencia de Promoción de la Inversión Privada (Private Investment Promotion Agency, ProInversión) announced an extensive public-private partnership (PPP) project and asset concession portfolio, while Colombia is betting on a new infrastructure strategy with the so-called fifth generation (5G) roads.

“Latin American countries are going through a moment of political upheaval, and each offers a different opportunity – from the pipeline project, regulatory environment or protection from exchange rate viewpoints, for example –, issues that have direct impact on how investors and players operating or interested in operating out of the Latin American infrastructure sector view the matters. Therefore, attending Infra Latam GRI will be a unique opportunity for those who want to chart their next steps on the Latin American markets,” says Pedro Nicolau, the global head of the GRI Club for the Infrastructure sector. 

Keynote speakers and key themes

As is typical of GRI events, the fifth edition of Infra Latam GRI brings to the debate relevant names from the regional infrastructure and market.

Confirmed for this edition are Brazil’s Minister of Infrastructure, Tarcísio Gomes de Freitas, who will address his management plan and ongoing projects in the Brazilian transport sector, and James McCormack, managing director at Fitch Ratings, who is expected to address the current global outlook, including the global economic situation and future prospects.

Under discussion are key topics for the development of the infrastructure and energy industries at the regional or local level. Asset privatization, risk mitigation, origination of good projects, new opportunities on markets, such as the electric and transport, are a few of the topics on the program.

Presence of regional leaders

After the first edition, held in 2016, Infra Latam GRI strengthens its position year by year as the main meeting point for leaders who work in the infrastructure industry in Latin America.

In its previous editions, the event brought together more than 726 strategic participants for the development of Latin American infrastructure, including Diogo Mac Cord, Secretary of Infrastructure Development at the Brazilian Ministry of Economy; Eduardo Leite, governor of Rio Grande do Sul; Carlo Bongianni, Vice President of Investments and Funding at Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional (FDN); José María Zertuche, managing director at BlackRock Real Asset; Teresa Vernaglia, CEO of BRK Ambiental; Carlos Barrera, CEO of Atlas Renewable Energy, and Alex Greenbaum, senior vice president of GIC.

For details about the full schedule of Infra Latam GRI 2020 and on how to register click here.