ECONOMIC GROWTH IS SPUR TO EXPANSION

CB Transportes SA is using its business abilities to transform the prospects of run-down railways in various parts of Latin America. Trade in the southern part of South America has expanded especially rapidly, but transport development has not yet caught up with this growth. CB Transportes was set up in 1995 to play an active part in the restructuring and privatising of the transport industry already in progress in Latin America. Today, it is focusing mainly on the operation of freight railways. It is also involved in equipment leasing, logistics, intermodal, storage, and port services. By making a series of strategic investments, it aims to create a portfolio of very efficient companies, which can benefit from the economies of scale in owning and managing railway businesses. With these objectives in mind, it has already obtained concessions for an export centre in Chile and two railways in Bolivia and two railways. The arrival of new financial shareholders has enabled CB Transportes to strengthen its financial position to undertake major investment projects from 1999 on. Opportunities of interest include rail privatisation in Peru and Colombia, port privatisation in Chile, waterway investment in Paraguay, and the development of intermodal terminals in Chile and Bolivia.