Key Development Plans of El Salvador Highlighted

El Salvador has seen tremendous change over the last few years thanks to what officials are calling the country’s first-ever “development boom.” During that time, authorities prioritized building public infrastructure in areas like schools and healthcare facilities. “With that initial investment, we laid the foundation for the development of our country and created the conditions that allowed us to focus on growing the economy,” Luis Rodriguez, director of the Planning Office of Metropolitan San Salvador, recently told the Diario El Salvador.

Detailing this first development boom

Delving further into this idea, Rodríguez explained that schools, health units, and other parts of basic infrastructure were built out across El Salvador in historic fashion. “We addressed sectors that for years, if not decades, had not been worked on,” he continued. “We provided schools with the resources they needed to upgrade; we supplied health units with new equipment; and we built the foundational infrastructure that exists today.”

Rodríguez says these development plans of El Salvador, focused on fundamentals, have served their purpose

Transitioning Into the Second “Boom”

Now, authorities say they are pressing further into a second phase of growth. During this stage, attention is turning toward highways, ports, and airports as pillars of economic infrastructure. Developing these projects will allow El Salvador to grow its productive activity while also opening new fronts for investment. Large-scale investment in these areas is a central part of President Nayib Bukele’s second administration and seems to mirror key development plans of El Salvador to emerge as a regional economic powerhouse.

“Our idea is that, starting with the president’s second term, work on the economy really kicks into high gear,” said Rodriguez. “We have security consolidated, and we already have a large portion of the necessary public infrastructure. Now we focus fully on the economic package because we have the conditions.” The emphasis on security has allowed the country to open itself up for investment.

Preparing for investment and prioritizing economic infrastructure

Rodríguez outlined some of the projects that fall under this second stage. “Transportation continues to be one of our main pillars,” he said. “We continue working on the country’s highway system, and we have also added ports and airports to the list.” Allowing Salvadoran goods to move more freely throughout the country and beyond will not only increase production but also decrease transportation costs. With that in mind, the development plans of El Salvador take on added significance when it comes to trade.

Continuing his thought, Rodríguez added that these projects not only improve logistics but also position El Salvador as a connector to the rest of the world. As a result, the economy should see more returns as international trade increases, thanks to these additions to the country’s infrastructure. Besides highways, ports, and airports, Rodríguez went on to mention a series of marquee projects that are either under development or already under construction.

National Stadium & International Convention Center

The first is the National Stadium, which is being constructed with Chinese assistance. According to Rodríguez, the National Stadium will open up El Salvador for hosting large sporting events. Simultaneously, work is being done to advance plans for a new International Convention and Exhibition Center, or CIFCO.

While the National Stadium is already under construction, CIFCO is only in the development stages. Both projects support the overall development plans of El Salvador by helping to attract tourists and business events to the country.

New hospitals will ensure the public healthcare system meets the needs of citizens

Further developing healthcare infrastructure

In terms of healthcare infrastructure, Rodríguez points to the government’s strong commitment to not only continuing what it started but improving it. He added that local health units have been, and continue to be, supplied with new equipment and upgrades. In fact, construction is already underway on two large hospitals: the Rosales Hospital and the Nejapa Hospital.

Once complete, both facilities will contribute greatly to the country’s overall hospital infrastructure by easing congestion and providing citizens with improved access to healthcare. Improved health and education, Rodriguez argues, were necessary steps to achieve the level of development we see today.

Investments spreading out across the entire country

Rodríguez went on to say that investments are no longer confined to neighborhoods and cities that traditionally see investment flood their way when infrastructure projects are announced. There are currently a myriad of different infrastructure projects taking place across the entire country. These projects, he added, focus on improving roads, public spaces, and other necessary components of public infrastructure in need of investment. Approximately US$1.4 billion will be invested in these projects alone.

AirCity Begins Construction

Most recently, the construction bidding process for what is known as AirCity was launched. AirCity will be Central America’s first airport free trade zone and is slated to be located at the Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport. Described as an innovative project that combines logistics, manufacturing, and value-added services together in one single package, AirCity will receive an estimated US$250 million in investment.

AirCity Will Become a Global Logistics Connection Point for El Salvador & Central America

In terms of specifics, AirCity is expected to serve as El Salvador’s first-ever airport logistics hub. Not only that, but once complete it will also serve the same capacity for the rest of Central America. Through this project, AirCity hopes to turn El Salvador into a global connection point for logistics while positioning the country’s airport as a leading destination for air cargo.