Team size: Three

LATAM countries your role covers: Chile, Colombia, Brasil, Costa Rica, Panamá, Perú, República Dominicana, Mexico. Chile and Colombia

Could you please share the most significant cases or transactions in the LATAM region that you or your legal team have recently been involved in?

Our legal team provides comprehensive support to the concessions division, collaborating with concession groups and infrastructure investors in the study, development, financing, and operation of infrastructure projects across Latin America. We assist the business unit at every stage of these projects, from the initial study and bid preparation to the award, negotiation, and signing of both public and private contracts related to the project with public authorities, private partners, and investors. Our involvement continues throughout the project’s operation, including the negotiation and closing of financing. Additionally, we play a role in the sale of shares of project companies when OHLA divests from a project.

Focusing on Latin America, the concessions team currently manages several significant assets.

In Colombia, OHLA was awarded the design, construction, improvement, operation, and maintenance of the Corredor Accesos Norte 2 project in Bogotá, with an investment of approximately EUR 700 million and a concession term of 29 years. The agreement was signed in April 2022 with the Agencia Nacional de Infraestructura (ANI). We secured this project through a 50% joint venture with a local partner. Our team contributed to the project’s study, the preparation of customary agreements (such as the joint venture agreement and design and build agreement), and provided support to the business unit through to the award, establishment of the project company, and ongoing advice as needed. Furthermore, we advised on the sale of 50% of the shares of the project company to an investment fund, all conducted in-house without the involvement of local legal counsel.

What strategies do you employ to ensure your legal advice is effectively aligned with the unique regulatory environments and cultural nuances of different LATAM countries?

We are lucky to have offices in some Latam countries with inhouse expert lawyers that help us. We also hire local law firms to give us advice on specific local issues when required, and as the years go by our own experience also grows.

What are your organisations plans in the LATAM region over the next 12 months and how will your legal expertise help to achieve these plans?

OHLA has a strong presence in Latin America, and we are actively tendering for various PPP projects in the region. We are currently assessing new opportunities and will provide strategic and legal support to our Concessions team. Additionally, we remain committed to enhancing the value of our existing projects across Latin America.