Alejandra Arriaza, the first woman to lead Customs in Chile, spoke with La República about the Chancay port in Peru, a project that would come into operation this year in its first stage and that has been described by some politicians in Santiago as a danger to its economic sovereignty at the maritime level.
“90% of cargo and cross-border traffic in Chile is through the port route. Therefore, the issue is relevant. It opens itineraries and new lines that will come to market with the southern cone of Latin America,” declared Arriaza Loeb after participating in the II Meeting of South American Chambers of Commerce.
Along these lines, he highlighted that the project that is advancing south of Lima “opens a new logistics chain and, consequently, as much as the development also implies new work risks.”
Does it represent an economic risk for Chile?
“I would not like to describe it as a risk because it is something that is being inaugurated. We know that any type of development for Latin America is always good. This does not open opportunities for joint work (with Peru); but I would wait for it to be developed and inaugurated to speak more about that,” the official declared to this medium.
Greater control on the border with Peru
Arriaza also spoke about illegal trade on the border with Peru. “We are working on the binational agreement with Peruvian Customs.”
Finally, he confirmed that they strengthened controls in this sector, which includes 168 kilometers. “We are reinforcing not only in terms of staff, but also in technology that we are incorporating into the controls.”
The II Meeting of South American Chambers of Commerce took place in Santiago de Chile. Representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru participated, through the National Society of Industries (SNI) and the Ministry of Production.
Data:
- Chile’s main port for international trade is San Antonio.
- Chilean Customs inspects less than 5% of containers entering its ports and hopes to increase the figure to 10%.
- Chancay, financed by Chinese capital with Peruvian participation, both from the private sector, involves an investment of US$1,315 million in the first stage and US$3,500 million upon completion.
- Chancay will be able to receive 18 thousand TEU vessels, the largest in the world, which for now do not arrive in Latam.
- According to the Minister of Economy, Alex Contreras, Chancay will be a “productivity shock for Peru” and a strategic place for transactions with Asia.
Source: Larepublica
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