Carlos Slim, the Mexican billionaire, on Tuesday called for the creation of a ”national infrastructure commission” to overcome what he described as significant ”deficiencies” in the government’s ability to deliver on its infrastructure pledges.

Several years ago, Mr Slim, an engineer by training and now one of the world’s richest individuals, formed Cicsa, an infrastructure and civic works company, in anticipation of what he and others believed would define the next wave of investment in Latin America.