Major Conference on Latin American Infrastructure Development: $25.4 Billion in Business...

Business Editors

WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 20, 2004

CG/LA Infrastructure LLC announces the identification of all projects to be presented at the 2nd Annual Latin American Leadership Forum, a major business event bringing engineering, equipment, finance and policy

The Leadership Forum presents traditional infrastructure projects along with visionary new opportunities across the region of 450 million people. The top 40 projects in the region - all presented by their sponsors - total $25.4 billion. Project categories are: water & wastewater; ports and logistics; airports and logistics; oil & gas; electricity; and strategic projects (visionary projects that will transform the region's capabilities).

"The outlook for emerging markets is the most positive we have seen for years," according to Kristin Forbes, a member of President Bush's Council of Economic Advisors. "For the first time since 2000, every country in Latin America will grow." The Leadership Forum will present fourteen projects from Brazil totaling $13,7 billion; from Mexico at least seven projects will be presented, totaling over $6 billion; and Chile will present projects totaling nearly $2 billion, further showing the dynamism of that growth economy. Additional projects will be presented from Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay and Guatemala.

Critically, the region's development banks are supporting the Leadership Forum with executive project presentations and high level delegation participation; Enrique Garcia, president of the Andean Finance Corporation, heads this group of committed leaders and will deliver the Leadership Forum keynote address.

Private sector sponsors include: Oracle, SAS Institute, Taylor DeJongh, Kroll Worldwide, Black & Veatch and the Brazilian law firm of Lacaz Martins. Supporting organizations include: Business News Americas, ENR, ADTP, Latin Focus, the Brazil-Texas Chamber of Commerce, America Economia, and O Empreiteiro.

About the Latin American Leadership Forum: The objective of the Leadership Forum is to catalyze the creation of fundamental infrastructure in Latin America, so that the region becomes increasingly competitive, grows at 5% for a sustained period, and offers increased opportunities to all of the region's citizens. The Latin American Leadership Forum will take place on March 23 & 24th, 2004, at the Hotel Washington in Washington DC.

About CG/LA Infrastructure LLC: CG/LA focuses on the creation of new value in the world's infrastructure marketplace - for businesses, private investors and public policy professionals. Originally focused on Latin America, we are a firm with global reach - working in Latin America, and in the growing markets of Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

For more information about the Leadership Forum, to meet the visionary leaders who are transforming the Americas, or to identify business opportunities that generate your firm's next growth spurt visit: www.latinamericanleadershipforum.com.