The delegations of Uruguay and Argentina in the Mixed Technical Commission of Salto Grande (CTM) signed an agreement days ago with the investment group Platform of Services SAS for the construction of a Multimodal Logistics Hub in that area of the country.
Since the middle of last year, through coordination with the Regional Development and Project and Innovation Management areas of the Secretariat of the Delegation of Uruguay, a call was made to companies to present projects for the installation of this undertaking. in the property located south of the border crossing between the two countries (in Uruguayan territory).
Through this initiative, it seeks to enhance commercial, productive and academic development, with the promotion of the integration of other enterprises in the region to enhance the generation of employment and regional development.
Carlos Albisu, president of the Uruguayan delegation in the CTM, pointed out that “after the signing this week, the fencing and delineation of the land to be worked on will begin. Works are expected to start next month.
This development plan consists of three parts: the Private Customs Warehouses (DAP), spaces in the private administration authorized for goods in transit; the dry dock and the free shop; and the barge port, the most important work of all. An industrial park is also planned.
The free shop would be the first in Salto, Albisu recalled. “Salto today is the only border in the country that does not have a free shop. All the corresponding paperwork is being done to make it happen. It would be located next to the bridge. It is an issue that has already been discussed with the President of the Republic (Luis Lacalle) and there is already an endorsement”, he commented.
Regarding the barge dock, he assured that due to bureaucratic issues the start of the works has been delayed, despite the fact that it has the signature of authorization by the Executive Power. Therefore, the works will begin in December and end in March, to start operating in April 2023. “And thus receive Brazilian soybeans there,” he assured.
A strategic alliance.
Yes, it is within the established deadlines in relation to the DAP, which has been under construction for two months and will be finished in another two. “Everything is walking quite fast in this sense. Surely, it will be the first to finish; while the dry port, with the part of the industrial park and the free shop, we hope that work begins as soon as possible to have them soon this year”, said Albisu.
In the first stage in the dry dock, it is expected to build in an area of between four to five hectares, but the president of the Uruguayan delegation in the CTM made it clear that as progress is made “the hectares are authorized” to build. Albisu detailed this initiative has an investment of US$ 20 million, and the DAP of US$ 10 million.
Synergy
Salto Grande is located in a strategic place, identified by a bridge that is the passage for a significant number of trucks from Paraguay and which in turn has the Railway Union with Argentina and Paraguay.
“This project is a project that has been practically a year since the idea began to be seen and the calls were made. We have been working from both delegations, but in turn, in this instance, we tried to work with the entire political system and institutions such as the Municipality of Salto, the Departmental Board, deputies, legislators, OPP, among other State agencies in order to promote the project and the opportunities that the Multimodal Logistics Hub can offer to the region”, stated Albisu after signing the agreement.
In his opinion, this “ends up generating synergy” with the entire region. “The governor of Entre Ríos, Gustavo Bordet, is involved and interested. And he is hooked on the Concordia airport which would be soon in 2023, with an IDB investment of US$50 million”.
The same with the passenger train between Salto and that Argentine city. A 29-kilometre railway line to connect both points in just 35 minutes. “We have had meetings in the Foreign Ministry and immigration to move this together, because it is good, beautiful and cheap, and of high impact, with minimal works. We already have the railways. It is above all to resolve the bureaucratic part and the entire international issue. The Governor of Entre Ríos wants it and the President of the Republic is very much in agreement and loved the idea”, explained Albisu. “Tourism would be favored, and those who study and work who come and go. The cost-benefit is impressive”, he concluded.
