In an interview with Portfolio, Mauricio Ossa, president of Odinsa, recounted in detail the projects that the firm has in its sights, his work in the Golden Max and their participation in 5G works.
(See: This will be the expansion of the El Dorado airport in Bogotá).
How are the projects you are in charge doing?
We close a positive year, our projects report favorable results in terms of finances, traffic, environmental management and social contribution.
In the case of the Malla Vial del Meta we are advancing in the works as planned, in Conexión Pacífico 2, after the positive evaluation of Vigeo Eiris that recognizes the actions implemented by the concession in social and environmental matters, we carried out a refinancing with social certification For close to $840,000 million, in the case of Autopistas del Café, it inaugurated the first electric charge corridor in the Coffee Region, positioning it as a sustainable destination, among others.
Have there been difficulties in financing and financial closing with the high rates on credits?
Not in our case, the refinancings that I mentioned above were carried out successfully in the first half of the year and presented no difficulties; On the contrary, we highlight the confidence that investors and the market continue to show in our projects and their management.
However, if current market conditions continue, this will undoubtedly generate significant cost overruns for the construction of infrastructure projects.
(See: Promote investments and more commitments in the Petro-Maduro meeting).
How has the platform fared with Macquarie?
We are doing very well, Macquarie Asset Management is an extraordinary partner with whom we share the purpose of strengthening the infrastructure in Colombia and the region.
In June we consolidated our alliance with the start of operations of the investment platform in road infrastructure: Odinsa Vías, which has been operating satisfactorily since then and managing our participation in the concessions Pacífico 2, Túnel Aburrá Oriente, Autopistas del Café and Malla Vial del Goal; in addition to our projects and initiatives in structuring: the expansion of the Túnel de Oriente, in Antioquia and Conexión Centro, in the Eje Cafetero.
Already in September we announced a new alliance with Macquarie for the creation of another investment platform focused on airport infrastructure for close to $1.4 trillion. This platform will manage the interests we have in the Mariscal Sucre Airport in Ecuador and the El Dorado Airport in Colombia; as well as the three Private Initiatives that we have been promoting in Colombia: El Dorado Max, El Dorado Airfield and the New Cartagena Airport, and will focus on the development and acquisition of new projects in the region.
Are you interested in applying for other projects? Which?
We are seeing opportunities in 5G, in the secondary market in Colombia and Latin America and, in a special way, we are focused on the structuring of the projects and Private Initiatives that we have in progress: the expansion of the second stage of the Oriente Tunnel, in Antioch; IP Connection Center in the Coffee Region; The New Cartagena Airport; Airfield (runways and taxiways) of El Dorado and El Dorado Max.
(See: Petro’s defense of a complementary train to the Panama Canal).
Mauricio Ossa, president of Odinsa.
private file
How is the El Dorado Max project doing?
This initiative, which aims to expand and improve the existing infrastructure of the El Dorado airport and estimates an investment of close to $7 billion, received on December 23 from the National Infrastructure Agency, the approval of the pre-feasibility of our initiative. . With this, the next step is the development of the studies and designs at the feasibility level, for their subsequent adjudication.
What other airport projects are ready?
We have another initiative called IP Campo de Vuelo El Dorado, which contemplates the improvement and operation of the runways and taxiways of the Bogotá airport with sustainable infrastructure and cutting-edge technology, to strengthen the safety and operational reliability of El Dorado. This initiative is in a more advanced phase of the process, in the evaluation of its feasibility.
On the other hand, we have also proposed an initiative to move the current Cartagena airport to another location. Our project for the New Cartagena Airport is finishing its feasibility stage and, due to its relevance for the country’s connectivity, it is part of the 5G projects. This project would require an investment close to US$800 million (100% private financing).
(See: They approve the expansion of quota for works for taxes in 2023).
Are you worried about the slowdown in the economy in 2023?
The public and private sectors must make decisions with countercyclical actions that allow this to be a transitory period and that this year we can maintain or even exceed, as a country, the rates of economic growth.
What do you expect for 2023 in terms of projects? Is there support from the Government?
In the case of Colombia, we are confident that all the projects that we are structuring will continue to their next stage, based on the conversations we have had with the current Government and on the signals they have sent, prioritizing infrastructure on their agenda as an enabler of opportunities for the country.
PAULA GALEANO BALAGUERA
Journalist Portfolio
