Water has the potential of promoting the economy in Latin America
Addressing the challenges represented by the coverage of potable water, sewage, and irrigation may represent an increase in the productivity of the region in the next 20 years
Jose Carrera, CAF's Corporate Vice President for Social Development, when referring to the challenges of the sector in Latin America, stated that first there must be water coverage for human consumption, and then the development of productive aspects for the agro-industrial sector. He expressed that "In the next 20 years, Latin America will become a power in the production of food for all humanity".
Carrera made this comments during the Diálogos del Agua (Water Dialogues), an event that took place with the objective of strengthening the collaboration between Latin America and Spain regarding management of the Ibero-American water sector.
CAF's Vice President added that work must be carried out to take potable water to 60 million inhabitants, and "so that more than 100 million may have their own sewage. We believe these are perfectly achievable goals in the next 17 years or less".
To have universal water and sanitation coverage, an investment of 0.3% of the regional GDP is required, according to the study Equidad e inclusión social en América Latina: acceso universal al agua y el saneamiento (Equity and social inclusion in Latin America: universal access to water and sanitation). The document states that complementing this investment with 0.4% for maintenance may have a positive impact on the quality of service and the economies of the countries.
Carrera believes that Latin America understands this scenario and is aiming its efforts to achieve the objectives related to coverage and maintenance. "Supporting state policies in this direction is required not only because of rights, conscience, equity, and inclusion, but also because it would be economically beneficial for society. I believe this is a very important argument of which the region is fully aware".
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