As per my previous post, I needed to verify that the Punta Colonet mega-port development was showing signs of movement and indeed there is more to report. According to the Mexican newspaper, La Voz de la Frontera, Mexican officials appear to be unwavering in their commitment to developing Punta Colonet and are claiming the project is indeed alive and moving forward.

Reports indicate BANOBRAS Director’s, Alfonso Garcia Tamez, claims of unfeasibility in developing the port caused a bit of a stir, prompting Baja Governor Jose Guadalupe Osuna Millan and Secretary of Transportation, Juan Molinar Horcasitas, to seek clarification from the Director. Director Tamez suggested he had been misquoted by the Mexican media.




Banco Nacional de Obras y Servicios Públicos, SNC (BANOBRAS) is a state owned “National Works and Public Services” development bank in Mexico whose core competency is public works financing and banking services. Needless to say, their participation in such a high profile project would be a foregone conclusion.

That being said and in spite of the BANOBRAS director’s position, whatever that may be, comments from Punta Colonet’s port project Director, José Rubio Soto, further stymied any negatives in stating that the opinions of the BANOBRAS director to be personal ones and nothing more and that Mexico’s government is clearly committed to the project. Also noting that monies for the project are by and large going to be drawn from the private sector and that long term benefits of the port will certainly outweigh current economic issues. He further supported this position by stating that there are currently four bidders registered for the project with two more bidders coming to the table vying for a shot at developing the mega port.

There is also the support from Mexico’s Ministry of Communications and Transport’s (SCT) Baja California sector noting the December, 2009 timeline for bids has not changed and there appears to be indication that will change. The SCT issued a press release stating that the mega-port’s transportation impact will be significant and continues to remain of the highest priority for the SCT and the Mexican government, respectfully.


This is all interesting and at the very least something that cannot and should not be ignored. There is a tremendous amount at stake here and more than the environmental and economic issues that immediately come to mind. There are also social, logistic and security issues that come with such a project and allow me to remind you that the project will not only be about the development of a facility but also that of a virtually new city, one that will forever change the landscape and fabric of the region and beyond.

Pass it on!

Jaime