Infrastructure and bureaucracy: key challenges for the growth of the Peruvian economy.

During the forum "Perspectives 2025: Evaluate, Plan, and Grow," organized by Diario Gestión, the panelists agreed that infrastructure is vital for driving the growth of the Peruvian economy. Among the participants, Evans Avendaño, CEO of Aeropuertos del Perú (AdP), expressed a central concern: the complexity and slowness of the processes required to carry out public investment projects in the country. Avendaño emphasized that, although AdP is a private company, its projects are considered public investment due to their self-financed concession nature. This implies that, despite being responsible for the investment, they must navigate a bureaucratic maze that, according to his analysis, imposes the inefficiencies of the public sector on the private one. This dynamic creates a scenario where development expectations are frustrated due to administrative inertia. The CEO of AdP also addressed the average duration of these processes, which, according to his estimates, can take nearly 10 years to complete. This includes the need to meet various requirements and go through stages such as the development of plans, profiles, and technical files. This time represents a significant burden for project development, especially in such a crucial sector as aviation and airport infrastructure. One of the critical points that Avendaño highlighted was the lack of attention to regional airports in the recent presidential message. Despite being essential for connectivity and local economic development, these projects were not mentioned in a context where renewed commitment to infrastructure is demanded. According to Avendaño, this reflects a disconnect between the country's needs and the government's priorities. Leonie Roca, president of AFIN, Manuel Van Oordt, CEO of LATAM Airlines Peru, and Juan José Salmón, CEO of Lima Airport Partners, were also part of the panel, contributing different perspectives on the importance of infrastructure for economic growth. Their interventions underscored how infrastructure not only influences the operational efficiency of companies but also directly impacts the quality of life of citizens. The event was complemented by the participation of key figures such as Adrián Armas, central manager of Economic Studies at BCRP, and the Ministers of Economy and Finance and of Transport and Communications, José Arista and Raúl Pérez Reyes, respectively. Their contributions provided a broader view of the challenges and opportunities facing infrastructure in Peru. The return of "Perspectives," after the pause caused by the COVID-19 health crisis, symbolizes an effort to resume a legacy of dialogue on crucial issues for the country. In its first edition in 2013, the event established itself as a meeting point between the public and private sectors, and its reactivation is expected to drive new initiatives and proposals that benefit the national economy. However, the challenges are significant. The need to modernize and streamline the processes governing public investment becomes evident in a context where global competitiveness demands quick and effective responses. The voice of business leaders like Avendaño is a call to action for authorities to reconsider and simplify the regulatory framework governing infrastructure. In this regard, it remains to be seen whether the government will take these concerns into account and whether changes will be implemented to facilitate the realization of projects that are essential for the sustainable growth of the country. The wait of over a decade to finalize critical investments cannot be the norm, and it is imperative that both the public and private sectors work hand in hand to overcome these barriers. The Peruvian economy, in its growth projections for the coming years, depends on robust and efficient infrastructure. Without a clear commitment and effective actions, the potential for development is compromised, affecting both businesses and families aspiring to a prosperous future.