CABEI inaugurates first regional railway forum

Tegucigalpa, November 26, 2019.- The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) organized the first forum denominated, “Successful Experiences in the Implementation of Railway Systems Worldwide,” which aims to promote the development of a railway network in the Central American countries.

At the event's inauguration, CABEI Executive President, Dr. Dante Mossi, highlighted CABEI's leadership at the regional level in supporting and financing the region's main railway projects.

Likewise, he added that, "In addition to the technical experiences or business models that will be presented, we must recognize and assess the impact that a railroad will have on the economic development of a country and region, as well as the environmental benefits that could be achieved by reducing the vehicle fleet and using environmentally friendly trains.”

President Mossi explained that the forum brings together decision makers and national authorities involved in defining urban mobility and logistics work plans in order to ensure the sustainability of such systems.

Noteworthy forum attendees included PARLACEN President, Irma Amaya; Director General of Mexican Studies, Statistics and Rail Registry of the Regulatory Rail Transportation Agency, Dr. David Camacho Alcocer; General Manager of the International Business Department of the South Korean Railway System Authority, Jo SuIk; INCOFER Executive President, Elizabeth Briceño; and railway industry specialists Carlos Orozco González, Jorge Kogan and Roberto Camilo García.

Collaboration with member countries
It is important to note that CABEI has actively participated in the promotion of the Central American Railroad sector by providing technical cooperation in support of the formulation of significant projects such as the Metropolitan Electric Train in Costa Rica, the Limón Freight Train and the Pacific Train in El Salvador, which will link the capital with the Ports of La Unión and Acajutla.

In order to meet the region's and CABEI's interest of reestablishing the Central American railway system, the Bank is developing a Diagnosis and Identification of Initiatives for the Development of Rail Transportation in Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama) to have a clear vision of the current situation regarding railway transportation and public policies associated with the sector. These inputs will be of great value to CABEI and regional authorities in the process of promoting national investments and streamlining regional requirements for the achievement of the Central American railway system.