ODEBRECHT
Brazilian company set to stay in Peru

Jorge Barata General Director of Odebrecht

“Odebrecht’s success in Peru stems from the fact that we are here to stay. This long-term vision involves a commitment and a strong link with the country, as strong as any Peruvian company may have. If we are committed to staying in this country, we must do what we can to ensure the country gets ahead because that’s the only way for the company to grow as well,” comments Jorge Barata (INTERVIEW), general director of Odebrecht Peru.

A 28-year history has established Brazilian-based Odebrecht’s presence in Peru. Today, it is the country’s largest construction company with investment upwards of $2 billion in more than 50 large-scale projects since 1979, including hydroelectric dams, nuclear plants, natural gas terminals, highways and water treatment plants.

Odebrecht Peru’s obvious commitment to the country was rewarded last year with a part concession for the $1.3 billion, 2,600 km transcontinental highway that will eventually link the coasts of Peru and Brazil. The highway will give Brazilian exporters access to Pacific ports and Asian markets, and open Brazil´s vast consumer market to Peru´s manufacturers.

Odebrecht Peru will build three segments of the historic Transoceanic Highway, parts of which pass through the Amazon. Mr Barata says that the positive effect on previously isolated communities in the Peruvian interior is also a significant benefit of the new infrastructure as there are still cities of 80,000 inhabitants in Peru without road access. He also believes that the Public Private Partnership model used in the highway project has been key in its successful development.

The Odebrecht Group is today one of world’s top engineering firms with projects on four continents. It has also established a global presence in chemicals and petrochemicals through its subsidiary, Brasken.

Mr Barata comments, “For the future, I’d like to see the company acquire the same level of diversity in Peru as it has in Brazil, developing more the other business branches. We are working quite hard to expand its dimension so that it is comparable.”