Bolivian Cargo Increases In Port Of Iquique

Fecha: 2012/09/13

Iquique is consolidating itself as a vital business platform in the logistic chain and commercial macro Andean and South American Midwest. This is mainly due to factors such as strategic location of the city, Free Zone and a port with a high shipping frequency to Asia Pacific markets.

In addition, Bolivia has significantly increased its business operations, especially by important economic development of provinces like Santa Cruz and Cochabamba, which has generated a greater dynamism in the region and increased operations in the Pacific ports.

It is important to note that road works, as referred to in the "Inter-Oceanic Corridor Iquique-Santos" project, have been a key to promote cargo traffic in central Bolivia and our country.

All these variables have helped to increase Bolivian cargo operations at the Port of Iquique considerably during the first half of this year.

Statistics provided by the Port of Iquique note that import cargo bound for Bolivia-accumulated July and compared with the same period in 2011 - up 44%, while export cargo from our neighboring country, increased by 37%.

In total, the Bolivian cargo traffic recorded so far-without considering cargo that is transferred via Free Zone reached 55,855 tons, up 42% over the same period last year.

To further promote this fruitful business relationship, Alfredo Leiton, General Manager and Hector Mardones, Business Manager of the Empresa Portuaria Iquique (EPI), met on Thursday August 30, at La Paz, with senior executives of the commercial and transport area of Bolivia.

The meeting, organized by the Consulate of Chile, was attended by Ambassador Mr. Jorge Canelas, General Manager of National Chamber of Commerce, Fernando Mirabal, President of Chamber of Heavy Transportation, El Alto, Gustavo Rivadeneira and President of the Chamber of Commerce International Terrestrial Bolivia (COBOTIC), Rolando Gutierrez.

At the meeting, were announced the main projects undertaken by the Port of Iquique, such as extension of areas of support, enabling a logistics center for storage of cargo in Alto Hospicio and implementing a truck parking exclusively designed for comfort to Bolivian Carriers. Also, It was agreed to carry out joint actions for training and transfer of information about benefits of the port of Iquique for Bolivian cargo.

"We are glad to establish communication links with main actors in commerce and transport of La Paz. Bolivia is our main commercial partner and we hope to continue doing this kind of activities to Iquique to respond satisfactorily to their needs, "said Alfredo Leiton, General Manager of EPI.

Source: MundoMaritimo