Chinese Infrastructure in LAC: Perceptions and Realities

On Wednesday, November 14th, the Inter-American Dialogue will convene a panel of experts to examine trends in Chinese infrastructure development in Latin America and the Caribbean and prospects for new transport and other infrastructure deal-making. The event will also feature an up-to-date map of China’s numerous planned and completed transport infrastructure deals across the region.

As Latin American and Caribbean governments sign on to the China-backed Belt and Road Initiative, hopes are high for new Chinese infrastructure investment, including projects that will promote cross-regional and cross-Pacific connectivity. However, China’s construction track record in the region has so far been mixed. China is heavily involved in port development in the Caribbean, for example, and has worked to expand Brazil’s electricity transmission capacity, but many Chinese companies have struggled to deliver operational projects.

To what extent is China prepared to meet the region’s expectations for future infrastructure development? How will recent political developments in the region affect proposed deals? And how can Latin American governments and infrastructure companies ensure best outcomes?

SPEAKERS

REBECCA RAY

Postdoctoral Fellow, Global Development Policy Center, Boston University

KENNETH JUAN FIGUEROA

Partner, Foley Hoag LLP

FRANCISCO JIJÓN 

Partner, White & Case LLP

CLAUDIA TREVISAN

Johns Hopkins – SAIS, former correspondent for O Estado de S.Paulo in DC and Beijing

MODERATOR

MARGARET MYERS

Director, Asia & Latin America Program, Inter-American Dialogue (@MyersMargaret)