Colombia and Paraguay advance logistics and infrastructure reforms

Colombia has introduced a draft decree to reform port concessions, aimed at enhancing international logistical competitiveness. Presented by President Abelardo De La Espriella and Transport Minister Elsa Noguera, the measure seeks to remove financial barriers that previously discouraged investment as contracts approached expiration. Under the new rules, strategic projects can be submitted when five or fewer years remain on a concession, with the state or new operators assuming any residual value if works are not fully amortized.

The reform also emphasizes multimodal connectivity by integrating roads, railways, and rivers into investment plans, and centralizing contract information through the RUCOP platform. Evaluation criteria will shift to include social impact and decarbonization alongside fiscal revenue.

In Paraguay, the National Logistics Council, led by Minister of Industry and Commerce Marco Riquelme, is evaluating infrastructure alternatives to strengthen regional cargo movement. Discussions between public and private sectors have focused on the Paraguay-Paraná waterway, railway initiatives, new border crossings, and the Bioceanic Route to improve national connectivity and reduce operating costs for producers.