NADB-BECC submit 2016-2021 Joint Work Plan for the State of Chihuahua

During a ceremony held on May 8, BECC General Manager Maria Elena Giner and NADB Acting Managing Director Alex Hinojosa delivered the 2016-2021 Chihuahua-NADB/BECC Work Plan to State Governor Javier Corral Jurado. The Governor acknowledged that these two institutions have always been sources of expertise and key advisers for past state administrations, so once he was elected governor in 2016, he established a joint working agenda between his incoming cabinet and the BECC/NADB experts.

This Joint Work Plan was presented at an event held in the Audiovisual Hall of the Colegio de Bachilleres Gymnasium in Ciudad Juarez. The document presents a summary of existing studies and projects with potential to receive technical assistance or financing from the two institutions, including projects in the water, solid waste, clean and efficient energy sectors, as well projects with potential to obtain financing through a public-private partnership scheme.

“The parties decided to develop this Work Plan since Mr. Corral became the Governor-elect. The plan contains infrastructure priorities for his administration and opportunities for collaboration during this timeframe,” Maria Elena Giner stated.

The above is of the utmost importance since, although there has been collaboration between the government and BECC/NADB in the past, there had been no opportunity to collaborate from the outset in the design of public policies for a new administration.

“The plan will give us the opportunity to provide support to the State Government for its priority projects through the Bank's various financing programs,” said Alex Hinojosa.

The document presented by the BECC and NADB Managers includes the continuation of the State Climate Change Action Plan, strategies to promote renewable energy and effective public finance management throughout the state, and guidance on the subject of Mexico’s Law on Financial Discipline.

“When I was elected I had the opportunity to reach out to the BECC and NADB, and there was total concurrence between the parties to synchronize objectives on issues such as water, solid waste management and alternative energy,” Governor Corral Jurado said. “The State Government has established this partnership with the BECC and NADB, on the one hand, to ensure that the state's projects are right on track –and that is the assurance offered by the BECC´s certification to the government– and to build the state´s capacities without disregarding the financing requirements for these projects.”

Since their inception 22 years ago, NADB and BECC have collaborated with the State of Chihuahua in the development of environmental infrastructure projects and the provision of technical assistance to enhance the institutional capacity of its utilities, including master water plans, energy audits, final project designs, and planning for climate variability.

“Aware of these beginnings and knowing the first-rate quality and technical expertise of those in charge of this institution in our area, we did not hesitate to resort immediately to the BECC to guide our essential objectives and even to harmonize our visions on the issues that have to do with environmental care and the sustainability of public policies that we want to promote in Chihuahua,” the State Governor said.