“Doing Things the Right Way” |
From the minute I was invited to lead this association, the challenge seemed fascinating to me. I have always been a firm believer and advocate of the Chilean lease system. I saw this industry being born, at a time when many people looked at it warily and did not trust its merits and benefits. As Under Secretary for Public Works, I verified the multiple benefits of this public-private association on the field. Six years later, on the other side of the street as COPSA new President, I’m even more convinced about the potential and efficiency of the lease system in Chile. |
Part of our mission is promoting this efficient, modern, and flexible way of building infrastructure in order to increase productivity and improve our country quality of life and territorial integration.
An example of the advantages of this public-private association is the fact that, after the strong earthquake in Chile in February 2010, main roads were connected again within a few days, and less than one year later, main works have been reconstructed with investments above US$260 million, fully provided by the lessee companies and their insurance companies. This was an enormous relief for the Government, which had to finance non-leased public structures that collapsed with the earthquake.
Our role is also to strengthen bonds with institutions and authorities participating in the lease process. The Ministry of Public Works, as well as other bodies, has chosen this business model as key actor in the development and modernization of the country.
It is fundamental to understand that our work is to carry out initiatives, projects, and bids within an investment program at Government level, seeking to contribute to national development and to strengthen the public-private relation defending leases. In this crusade, we are the Government partners and work for a better future for the country.
This year, our further purpose will be focusing on the importance of users for lessee companies. Therefore, our work, as well as service provision, corresponds to the needs of the more and more demanding and informed public using our infrastructure.
The large amount of information, social networks and instant feedback currently available will be a good barometer to measure lessee companies’ behavior.
We shall highlight each one of those users’ requirements, and shall always provide them quality service.
We shall not abandon the ambitious lease plan, and shall struggle so that, every day, more and more companies and consortiums, domestic and foreign, may participate in leases with investment guarantees and correct contracts.
Therefore, the invitation is open to collaborate by gathering all private companies belonging to the association in a national vision for structure development at country level.
Clemente Pérez
President
COPSA