Argentina Plus Byte won the bidding of the São Borja Binational Bridge auction – Santo Tomé with a proposal for a grant of US $ 29 million, a 9.43%goodwill. The auction was held by B3, this Wednesday (16).
Plus Byte’s proposal overcame the proposal offered by just one more proponent: CS Infra, from the Simpar () group, which presented a proposal of US $ 26 million, a goodwill of 0.38%.
The dispute was only for the value of the grant, being the rates already fixed by the notice – less than the rates currently practiced.
The Ponta Negra Logistics consortium tried to participate in the auction, but was not qualified for not meeting one of the items of the announcement. The disqualified company may appeal and have its proposal open later, if reversed the disqualification decision.
With 15.62 kilometers long, the bridge is the result of an agreement signed between Brazil and Argentina in 1989. The term of the concession is 25 years and the company will be responsible for performing a set of technical and operational interventions in the structure.
It is expected that the stretch will receive investments of approximately US $ 99 million during the 25 years of contract. The auction criterion will be the highest fixed grant value offered by the participant.
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According to IRS data, the São Borja Ponte – Santo Tomé accounts for 20.1% of trade between Brazil and Argentina, with 27.5% of exports and 12.6% of imports and 39.98% of trade between Brazil and Chile.
In addition to the stretch of the bridge itself and the road access in each country, the contract comprises the operation of the customs area of joint action of the authorities of both countries. The construction of new access ranges and the expansion and improvements in inspection courtyards, among other investments, is planned.
According to Aline Klein, a specialist in infrastructure and public concessions of the Office Vernalha Pereira, this is an example of a change in the successful notice, which provided the presentation of proposals by several stakeholders after frustrated attempt. Among the changes are the significant increase in the return rate-from 8.46% to 15%.
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The minimum fixed grant bid was reduced from US $ 40.8 million to US $ 26.5 million, and its payment is changed, with the forecast of annual and equal installments to both countries. “There was also a reduction in toll rates planned, especially for tourist and bus vehicles, in order to encourage traffic on site. It was also significantly reduced the required minimum capital (from US $ 81.46 million to US $ 6 million), expanding the spectrum of bidders,” he adds.
“The change mainly of economic aspects of the notice, to attract the interest of private initiative, confirms the relevance of the economic and financial modeling of the projects. In the current economic environment, more and more attractive return rates, compatible with interest rates practiced in the market, and legal certainty to obtain the predicted investments and performance,” concludes the expert.
(With Estadão Content)
