From Structures to Services: The Path to Better Infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

Antonio Estache, a citizen of Belgium, holds a PhD in Economics from the Université Libre de Bruxelles. He is a professor of economics at his alma mater and a member of the European Center for Advanced Research in Economics and Statistics.Roberto Guerrero, a citizen of Mexico, holds a PhD in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is an economics senior associate in the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Sector of the Inter-American Development Bank. xxVIII FROM STRUCTURES TO SERVICES Michelle Hallack, a citizen of Brazil, holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Paris Sud. She is a senior energy specialist in the Energy Division of the Inter-American Development Bank. Robin Hamaker-Taylor, a citizen of the United States, holds an MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation from the London School of Economics. She is a climate policy and risk consultant at Acclimatise Ltd. Bridget Hoffmann, a citizen of the United States, holds a PhD in Economics from Northwestern University. She is an economics specialist in the Research Department of the Inter-American Development Bank. David López Soto, a citizen of Mexico, holds an MA in Economics from El Colegio de México. He is an economist in the Energy Division of the Inter-American Development Bank. Fabiana Machado, a citizen of Brazil, holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Rochester. She is a senior economist in the Water and Sanitation Division of the Inter-American Development Bank. Laureen Montes Calero, a citizen of Nicaragua, holds an MA in Development and Globalization from the Institute of Development Policy at the University of Antwerp. She is an economist in the Transport Division of the Inter-American Development Bank.

2023 Latin American and Caribbean Macroeconomic Report: Preparing the Macroeconomic Terrain for Renewed Growth

“…In line with inflation, fuel price shocks played a key role in shaping inflation expectations (see Figure 2.2.2), which is a key signal for policymakers to communicate to the public their views about the nature of fuel price shocks (e.g., about the perceived persistence or not of key market shocks). a larger portion of their income on food (see Powell, 2021, andPowell, 2020). Even though prices increased globally, large subsidies to energy prices in the region limited the passthrough to domestic prices.…”

“…8 Horizontal expansions (more beneficiaries) can be complemented with vertical expansions that increase the value of the monetary transfers to guarantee basic food consumption (need more income). 9 SeeCavallo et al (2020) andCavallo and Powell (2019).…”

Approach Paper: Extended Country Program Evaluation, Paraguay 2014-2023

“…Paraguay ranked 92nd out of 141 countries on the WEF Global Competitiveness Index 2019 with the quality of its logistics and transportation infrastructure among the lowest in the region. 14 That said, in the past few years, it did achieve nearly universal urban and rural access to electricity (Cavallo et al, 2020), although the quality of electricity services still lags 15 with higher-than-average losses for the region. 16 Paraguay experiences some of the longest and most frequent power outages in the region, and these blackouts are one of the main infrastructure problems identified by firms.…”

El sector de agua potable y saneamiento en Paraguay: evolución y perspectivas

“…Las estadísticas referentes al acceso a los servicios deben ser revisadas cuidadosamente, ya que su definición muchas veces está muy lejos de los estándares mínimos necesarios para tener una calidad de vida aceptable (Cavallo, Powell, & Serebrisky, 2020). Aunque Paraguay ha hecho importantes inversiones en infraestructura, lo cual es un primer paso indispensable para brindar un servicio, esto no es suficiente para que su calidad sea adecuada desde el punto de vista del usuario.…”

“…Para la región se estima que más que 40% del agua se pierde en el sistema de distribución (Cavallo, Powell, & Serebrisky, 2020), y, para diversas ciudades en el interior de Paraguay se ha calculado incluso valores de agua no contabilizada (ANC) superiores a 50%. A través de un estudio de balance hidráulico del sistema de provisión de agua en Lambaré se llegó a que en dicha zona de la ciudad el sistema cuenta con un ANC de 44,4% (Latin Consult, 2017), evidenciándose que el 76% del ANC corresponde a pérdidas físicas (fugas en reservorios y en la red).…”