Thursday, February 27, 2014

Alejandro Betancourt discusses Derwick's investment opportunities in Spain



Alejandro Betancourt Derwick
In one of my latest visits to Spain, the Spanish magazine “Capital” asked me for an interview in which we talked about Derwick's future plans and investment interests outside of Venezuela. Here below is a summary and a link for you to read the full interview:


Derwick Associates remains committed to the transfer of advanced technology to benefit Venezuela's international electrical industry. To this end, Alejandro Betancourt has visited Spain to study existing companies in this country and to see "what tools we can use for our benefit and bring back home with us." The main interest of the Venezuelan company, as commented in an interview with the magazine Capital, is to import energy storage and networks technology.


The company is focused on enhancing the technological development of the thermoelectric sector in order to export to other Latin American countries, such as Ecuador, Columbia and, most importantly, Brazil.


Meanwhile, Derwick is still workingalong with the Venezuelan government— on the creation of "a shield for the country's most important cities" and to this end, has worked with companies such as the Spanish Iberdrola or Duro Felguera, on the construction of Caracas' thermoelectric power ring, already operating successfully and allowing power restoration in as little as 30 or 50 minutes, in case of a blackout. Despite recent successes, the company continues to work tirelessly because, as Betancourt himself stated, "Venezuela's Electric Park requires updates every few years; all governments should be aware of this and they should have a long-term plan."



During the interview with the Spanish publication, Betancourt responded to the most critical voices and ensured that Derwick's commitment is to build a country and ensure the reconciliation of its citizens. If this reason alone endures criticism, then "it's just part of the job", he says.

http://www.capital.es/2014/02/25/alejandro_betancourt_derwick_associates_/

Monday, February 24, 2014

Alejandro Betancourt, founder of Derwick Associates



Alejandro Betancourt, one of the representatives of a new generation of entrepreneurs in Venezuela.


He studied Economics and Business Administration from Suffolk University in Massachusetts (Boston, USA), and has developed his business career in his own country, Venezuela.  


His career has been consistently linked to the international trade and energy sector. He also has senior management experience in international companies, having served as Director of Trade for Latin America in the United Kingdom delegation to the ICC-OEOC, a North American firm with presence in Europe, Middle East, South America, and Africa.


After working for the ICC-OEOC, Betancourt was part of the management teams of Guruceaga Group and BGB Energy. Being CEO of BGB Energy included his active participation in the Interconexión Centro Occidente of Venezuela project (ICO) in 2006.


Following the success of BGB Energy Project in ICO and nearly a decade of industry experience, Alejandro Betancourt finally decided to found Derwick Associates in 2007, specializing in the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (IPC) of power plants, focusing on innovation and the improvement of the processes of electric power production in Venezuela.