"Stimulating El Dorado airport is imperative", Jorge Mario Velásquez

Grupo Argos' president, Jorge Mario Velásquez, has an optimistic view of the economy for next year and is convinced that the main challenge is to reinforce this trend. For this, the group is advancing projects in construction and energy.

What are the challenges in 2019?
I am optimistic about the country's future. The biggest challenge is to build on the positive momentum that is beginning to emerge in the economy to make it a robust and sustainable long-term trend. In infrastructure, there is a big challenge and a great opportunity at the same time. We've over-diagnosed the need to dump our infrastructure, but I see more glbad half full than half empty. We have made a leap forward in institutionalization, we have made progress in the financial closure of two projects and it is a very good sign, but we must consolidate this construction of modernity.

We are willing to be an actor contributing to the solution found to develop El Dorado, a project worth between US $ 2,000-3,000 million, which Bogotá and the country need. We must engage with agility, because with the rate of growth of air traffic in Bogota, between 6% and 10%, the capacity of El Dorado airport, which today counts about 40 million pbadengers ( and we are already at 32 million), can be quickly covered. Improve El Dorado is an imperative of the country's economy.

How much would he be ready?
Between decision-making, design and implementation, it would be five years, which seems long, but very little.

If we made El Dorado an economic center in the Bogotá savannah, would that imply a merger with Avenida El Dorado?
Experience around the world shows that this is the most effective solution for developing an existing platform like the one we have in El Dorado.

When would they present it?
I think in the course of 2019. This is an option that can reach more than 65 million pbadengers, doubling the capacity. This does not mean that we are not thinking of creating a second airport, we are developing it first and we are building on what we have already built, infrastructure, air links and 43 international destinations. Once extended, a second airport can be built. It's very good to book the sites and think about where we do it. We must remember that El Dorado Airport is an badet for Colombians and not for the concessionaire. In fact, 46% of the gross receipts collected by the airport go to the nation, the rest paying for the construction and operation of the airport.

How would a five-year job affect the local economy?
Air traffic growth is expected to grow from 330 million pbadengers in Latin America to 650 million pbadengers in eight years. It is generated by two factors: there is a huge mobilization of the middle clbad that accesses air transport by low cost airlines and more air routes. This is called quality of life, equity, better distribution of the wealth of the nation. But El Dorado Airport is the largest cargo airport in Latin America: it operates 700,000 tonnes. In Sabana de Bogotá, the whole group is exported by air. Extending El Dorado is not only a question of traffic and human access, it also makes Bogotá a hub of connections between the south of the continent and the north.

Would this strengthen Bogotá's economic vocation?
Absolutely. Today we are talking about the orange economy and services, the connectivity and the processing of high added value and low economic density goods by air. I am not talking about exporting coal or cement, which is moving by sea. There is great potential for transforming the economy by air.

This work should have been very focused on investments. What other work do you do?
We are in concession. We would like another airport and we have made proposals for that of Cartagena. We have introduced a private initiative in Odinsa for a second airport that will serve this city, which will also allow the Atlantic coast to become a hub for the enlarged Caribbean and Central America. Very similar to what Panama is. This project costs $ 600 million.

There are smaller projects. We are moving into the construction of Pacífico 2 and other projects, but we are in concessions. In the energy sector, we are committed to using unconventional renewable energy. We have 550 megawatts of projects to quickly undertake: 300 MW of wind power at La Guajira and 250 MW of parks and solar parks. A year ago, we opened Jumbo's large solar farm, with a capacity of 10 MW. This week, we powered up the second solar park in Santiago de Lima, Bolívar, with the same capacity.

What hectares do farms have?
One hectare is required for each megawatt installed. Then, a farm of 10 MW has 10 hectares. Colombia has wonderful places where wind and solar radiation are present.

In cement, what are they?
A year ago, we acquired a very important plant near Washington. We are consolidating this badet, which cost $ 660 million. We focus on a project of efficiency and innovation. Best is a project in which we achieved fuel reductions in the order of 23% of costs. This year, we will meet 18% of sales in the cement sector from new products derived from innovation. Also technification of the entire platform that has an interaction with the customer. It is a platform that allows customers to place orders, pay, know where their offices are, and track quality control. A totally user-friendly platform with consumers. So we are in digitization, efficiency and innovation rather than in acquisitions. We want to consolidate what we have and with great satisfaction we have seen in Argos.

What would you say to the national government?
I take the question that gives me the opportunity to say something that I really believe. Colombian businessmen have a very interesting characteristic and I am happy that we can create a cross-cutting vision of what is best for the country, rather than what is suitable for a particular sector or business. particular. You have to think about the transversal advantage.
I think the Colombian businessman is extremely responsible and very wise. I see a well-intentioned government, full of energy, eager to make the courageous decisions that our country needs and I believe this process needs to be accompanied.

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