Before joining Prime Minister Lionel Jospin in Brasilia on the occasion of his official trip to Brazil, Gérard Mestrallet, Chairman of the Suez Executive Board, chaired the third session of the
"Water Resources Advisory Committee"(1) held in Buenos Aires between March 31 and April 2, 2001. The objective of this international experts committee, which was created by Suez on February 4, 2000, is to reflect on the major water resources issues in the world.
On the occasion of this trip, Gérard Mestrallet took stock of the Group's development in Argentina and Brazil. Latin America (especially Argentina and Brazil) is a key zone for development for the Suez group, which, since 1997, has multiplied its business in its 3 world-wide businesses by 5 : Energy, Water, Waste Services. In 2000, the Group generated 8 % of its revenues in this area, where it employs about 30,000 people.
In Argentina, Gérard Mestrallet was personally welcomed by Prime Minister Christian Colombo, the Minister of Finance, Domingo Cavallo, and the Minister of Public Works, Carlos Bastos. The Suez group is leader in water management in Argentina with 13 million people served and revenues of EUR 768 million. It also provides waste services to 6.5 million people. In the energy sector, Tractebel is present in the distribution and transport of gas and numerous development projects are planned in this sector.
Gérard Mestrallet expressed his satisfaction with the Group's development since 1992 and his trust in Argentina's capacity to control the economic troubles the country is going through.
Gérard Mestrallet then travelled to Brazil where Suez has been present for 40 years and has substantially developed its activites since 1997. The Group has become the country's leader in waste services through Vega, serving 11 million people and generating revenues of EUR 180 million. In the Brazilian energy market, Suez is number 1 with Gerasul, a Tractebel subsidiary with an installed capacity of 5,000 MW and 2,000 MW under construction, mainly in the south of the country. In the water sector, the Group has entered a new important phase by winning the Manaus contract, the first water concession which has been granted by a big city in Brazil. So, in spite of the monetary uncertainty, Brazil is on its way to growth again and the country's needs in the Group's three major businesses hold out excellent prospects.
(1) The WRAC’s mission is to deliberate and be consulted on social or environmental questions raised by the Group's projects, as well as fundamental principles of public private partnerships. This independant committee comprises twenty distinguished personalities of various backgrounds and nationalities and is chaired by Maragaret Catley-Carlson, Chairman of the Global Water Partnership.
Gérard Mestrallet's trip to Argentina and Brazil