The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has announced significant new support for countries in Central America. OPIC will support a minimum of US$212mn in new investment for El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Each of the nations is a signatory to the Central America and the Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR) free trade agreement.

 

The new financing includes US$149mn designated for investment in Central America from three new OPIC-supported investment funds – two focused on the housing sector and one on power sector with a focus on renewable energy.

 

In addition, the OPIC package provides a US$7.5mn microfinance project in all four countries (also Peru and Mexico) and a US$1mn regional salt distribution project.