UNCLAS LIMA 001090
SIPDIS
COMMERCE FOR 4331/MAC/WH/MCAMERON
TREASURY FOR KKOZLOFF, MMALLOY AND MEWENS
ENERGY FOR GWARD, SBROWNE AND RDAVIS
ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION FOR CHARLES ESSER
PASS EXIM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR, ENRG, ECON, SENV, EINV, ETRD, EAID, PE
SUBJECT: PERU LNG'S AGRICULTURAL CSR PROJECTS
Summary
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1. As the largest foreign investment in Peruvian history, the Peru
LNG project has drawn significant amount of attention, particularly
to the potential social and environmental impacts. Peru LNG has
begun introducing the social responsibility components of the
project, including a small agricultural and institutional capacity
building project in two coastal communities. Project mechanisms and
objectives are consistent with Government of Peru agricultural
strategy. End Summary.
Background: the Peru LNG Project
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2. Final approval of financing for the Peru LNG project was
obtained in December 2007 - January 2008. At $3.8 billion,
including financing costs, the project represents the largest direct
foreign investment ever made in Peru. The funding includes $450
million from the U.S. Ex-Im Bank, $400 million from the IDB, and
$300 million from the World Bank/IFC. These are the largest
private sector loans in IDB and World Bank history. The project
involves the construction and operation of a gas liquefaction plant
and export facility (marine terminal and breakwater) on the Peruvian
coast, 169 km south of Lima; and a 408 km pipeline that will connect
with the existing Camisea pipeline at the Chiquintirca community in
the Ayacucho Region of the Andes and stretch to the LNG Plant on the
coast. Peru LNG is majority owned and operated by Hunt Oil (USA).
As of June 2008, the plant was about 47% complete and the pipeline
was about 10% complete.
3. The Peru LNG project advances significant policy priorities for
the USG in terms of development, investment promotion, and energy
security. According to the IDB, this level of investment will add
an average of approximately 0.4% to Peru's GDP per year over the
2006-2010 construction period, and is expected to contribute to GDP
growth by as much as 0.5% per year during the operational life of
the project (2011-2028). A large share of the imports for the
construction of the project comes from the United States. The
project is expected to generate roughly $1.4 billion of hard
currency export revenues annually, increasing Peru's total exports
by 4.2%. The GOP will receive an estimated $200 million per year
from taxes and incremental royalties as a result of the Peru LNG
project, totaling about $4.0 billion over the 18-year life of the
project. These royalties will be distributed throughout the country
to central, regional and local governments through the "gas canon."
Approximately 3,000 new direct jobs and 7,000 indirect jobs will be
generated during the construction phase.
Social Responsibility
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4. The Peru LNG consortium has a community/social and environmental
investment budget of $9.1 million, apart from the direct payments
made to communities along the pipeline for the right of way. For
one of its social responsibility projects with the impacted
communities, Peru LNG has contracted with "El Centro de
Investigacion, Educacion y Desarrollo" (CIED) to implement a project
in the Canete and Chincha municipal areas (near the LNG plant
construction site). (Note: The Canete-Chincha region was severely
impacted by the earthquake of August 2007 and recovery has been
slow; widespread devastation is still evident almost ten months
after the disaster. End Note.) CIED is a Peruvian NGO, founded in
1973, with expertise in sustainable rural development.
Representatives from the Embassy's Office of Agricultural Affairs
(FAS) were invited by Peru LNG to attend the rollout of CIED's
project in May.
5. The Peru LNG-funded social responsibility project, called
AgroProgreso, is based on an analysis of the potential for
agriculture development in the region and an identification of the
major constraints. The three year project will be implemented in
the districts of San Vicente in Canete and Grocio Prado and Sunampe
in Chincha, with 300 small farm families as direct beneficiaries.
It is anticipated that all agricultural producers in the areas will
be indirect beneficiaries as a result of the institutional capacity
building efforts and infrastructure investments. The total budget
for the AgroProgreso project is $800,000 with $640,000 coming from
Peru LNG and the rest from local resources (mostly payment in
kind).
6. The project has both technical and political elements. The
technical dimension is oriented to small producers with training and
technical assistance to further develop a competitive agriculture
with products for the local, regional, and international markets.
The political dimension is focused on broader local economic
development issues with capacity building for local government and
business leaders.
7. The technical component will support the creation of farmers'
associations with participants required to meet identified criteria
including owning less than 10 hectares of land, having access to
water and basic infrastructure, a minimum level of education and a
commitment to working in a group. Associations will be provided
technical assistance in good agricultural practices; business and
marketing skills; how to access credit; and improving the overall
quality and quantity of products.
8. The political component will support the development of a
"public-private platform" for promoting the economic development of
the regions, including the creation of a business promotion office
within the local government structure. Training will be provided to
local government and business leaders on creating incentives for
small businesses development. Training will also be provided on how
to develop a strategic plan for preventing natural, economic, and
social disasters, as well as on obtaining and managing
reconstruction funds.
Comment
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9. The objectives of the project are not overly ambitious in terms
of numbers or development ideas. They rely on existing marketing
channels and proven concepts. The activities are consistent with
the overall agricultural development strategy of the GOP and the
Ministry of Agriculture, including the focus on organizing farmers
into associations. The AgroProgreso project has the advantage of
guaranteed funding from Peru LNG and the pressure to be successful
in generating benefits for the local communities.
10. Peru LNG has requested information from the Embassy's Office on
Agriculture Affairs (FAS) on our support and working relations with
the Ministry and PL 480 funded agriculture development projects,
particularly in the Southern Highlands of Peru. USDA and USAID have
a long history of support and cooperation in agriculture which Peru
LNG wishes to tap into. We are ready to cooperate and coordinate to
increase the chances of AgroProgreso success.