Partnership for Central America

Yesterday, the Partnership for Central America and IFC - International Finance Corporation co-hosted the inaugural Central America Investors' Forum—a one-day convening attended by senior leaders from the private sector, government, and multilateral organizations with the ambition of unlocking and sustaining new investments in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras that support our goal to create one million new jobs and advance inclusive economic growth. Impact was at the heart of the Forum, from our expert panelists and participants sharing their expertise and case studies in public/private partnership to providing new turn-key investment opportunities within Northern Central America across a diverse range of sectors ranging from energy to infrastructure, real estate, fintech, innovative mechanisms, and beyond. Events like the Forum remind us that progress is possible when the public and private sectors come together. On behalf of the PCA team, we’d like to offer special thanks to IFC for their support in organizing this event and to our incredible speakers and panelists: Jose W. Fernandez, Mauricio Ramos, Ray Chambers, Matthew Harris Amy Hepburn, Diana Alarcon, Marisela Alvarenga, Juan Pablo Mata John Moore, Reta Jo Lewis, Esq. Elizabeth Martinez de Marcano, and Eric Jacobstein for sharing their expertise and galvanizing reflection and action. We deeply appreciated learning about the opportunities for investment shared by Minister of Energy and Mines Victor Hugo Ventura, Juan Ricardo Ortega Lopez, Juan Gonzalez, Eddy Juarez, Carlos Emilio Toledo, Juan Berger, Orlando Aviles, Rodrigo Mata, John Simon Christian Qui?onez Sol, Michael Barjum, Rich Ambrose, and Gabriel Gutierrez. To learn more about PCA and to get involved, visit https://lnkd.in/ezHVeMWx Sanaa Abouzaid, Juan Francisco Ron, Georgia Levenson Keohane Luis Atala F, Juan Pablo Mata Felizia Bacall, Andres Saldias Michael McCarville

PCA was honored to join our partners TechnoServe and Grupo Mariposa for the launch of? “Proyecto de apoyo a tiendas de colonia” in collaboration with USAID. Through this initiative, 44,000 neighborhood store owners across El Salvador will receive advanced digital tools, business training, and access to financing to strengthen and expand their businesses. This program is part of the Central America Forward initiative, focused on driving economic growth in El Salvador and the region. As these small businesses gain essential resources to improve their operations and create local job opportunities, we’re excited to support TechnoServe in its mission to empower Salvadoran entrepreneurs and foster sustainable community development. Rosa María De Frade Maria Luisa Hayem Andrea Pérez de Novoa (Castro), MBA Andrea Orellana

CrossTech is a leading platform for cross-border payment professionals, bringing together key industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers. At CrossTech World 2024, participants will explore the latest trends, technologies, and solutions shaping the future of cross-border transactions. Through this partnership, PCA continues its commitment to fostering financial inclusion and economic growth in Central America by engaging with global innovators in the payment space. We are excited to collaborate with CrossTech to promote cutting-edge solutions and create a positive impact on the payments ecosystem in our region and beyond. Exclusive for PCA members: Enjoy a 20% discount on registration using the code: PCAWRLD24

The Partnership for Central America (PCA) and Transparency International convened an insightful discussion with key stakeholders to commemorate the official launch of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Initiative for Central America (ACT Project), aimed at strengthening corporate integrity and improving investment conditions throughout the region. The event gathered ACT Project launch partners—AgroAmerica, Grupo AG, Grupo Ficohsa, Grupo Mariposa (Apex Global Mobility)—as well as Transparency International’s regional chapters: Acción Ciudadana, ASJ Honduras, and Fundación Nacional para el Desarrollo (FUNDE). Together, they explored the critical role of the private sector in promoting transparency, strengthening the rule of law, and fostering a business environment that is conducive to investment. PCA extends its sincere gratitude to our launch partners—AgroAmérica, Grupo AG, Grupo Ficohsa, and Grupo Mariposa—for their dedication and commitment to promoting transparency and ethical business practices. Their leadership and active engagement are essential in driving meaningful change across the region. The ACT Project marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts, through Central America Forward, to set a new standard for corporate integrity and build a foundation for sustainable growth in Central America. We look forward to expanding this network of companies that are committed to leading by example and are excited to see the positive impact we can create together, alongside the expertise of Transparency International and its regional chapters. Access the full press release here: https://bit.ly/3zP1GYf Luciana Torchiaro Gabriela ROCA Rosa María De Frade Javier Aguirre Ana Cristina Mejia de Pereira Manfredo Marroquin Carlos Hernandez Roberto Rubio Fabián Mario Bustillo Danielle Orihuela Luis Arreaga

Last Thursday, the Partnership for Central America hosted an insightful roundtable discussion during the North Capital Forum, organized by the US-Mexico Foundation in Mexico City. Panelists from Invest Guatemala, IOM Mexico, and the Atlantic Council dove deep into the opportunities for supply chain integration between Northern Central America and North America, emphasizing the benefits of including Central America as a nearshoring destination. The conversation underscored the benefits to North America of increasing investment in Central America. IOM also stressed the need for legal pathways and regulatory improvements to enhance integration, particularly between Guatemala and Southern Mexico. A special thank you to our esteemed panelists: Jason Marczak, Karina Blanco Ochoa, Juan Esteban Sánchez Sánchez, and Ignacio Basterrechea for their valuable insights, and to all attendees for making this discussion so impactful. We’re especially grateful to Enrique Perret Erhard and Guillermo Peralta from the US-Mexico Foundation for making the space for this important conversation. Ann Marie Brouillette Michael McCarville

Partnership for Central America is grateful to our Board Member Marisol Argueta and the World Economic Forum for hosting a "Partnering with Central America" event during UNGA week yesterday.? We were honored to be joined by President Bernardo Arévalo of Guatemala, who shared his vision for strengthening investment in Guatemala and inspiring hope for a brighter future for the people of Guatemala.? We were also grateful to Ministers Maria Luisa Hayem and Michelle Sol of El Salvador, Minister Miguel Medina of Honduras, and Minister Jonathan Menkos Zeissig of Guatemala for sharing their vision for inclusive growth and stronger integration in the region. Our private sector partners - including our Board Chair Mauricio Ramos of Millicom (Tigo), Gap CEO Richard Dickson, Darren Ware of Mastercard, Alejo Czerwonko, Ph.D. of UBS, our Board Vice-Chair Ray Chambers and others - expressed their commitment to the region and their desire to see the cornerstones of growth - governance, infrastructure, human capital development, and perception of the region - continue to improve. Dario Soto Abril of Trafigura Foundation commented on the key role of philanthropy in advancing innovative approaches? and promoting systems change. Abdulrahman T. Bakir André Lacape Calderón Andrés Rebolledo Smitmans Anne Murphy Benjamin Gedan Dario Soto Abril Eric Jacobstein Gabriela ROCA Werthein Gregorio Jason Marczak Javier Aguirre Jonathan Fantini Porter Jose Luis Mu?oz Juan Carlos Mora Juan Pablo Mata Luis Arreaga Lynette Behnke Michelle Muschett Ann Marie Brouillette Milagros S. Rojas Rosa María De Frade Jon Henes

Partnership for Central America is proud to announce a significant milestone that our members have achieved in the six months since the launch of the Financial Inclusion Consortium for Central American Remittances (FICCAR). Our members committed to boosting people-to-people remittance to account transfers by at least 20 percentage points in the next five years.? Increasing digital, deposit-to-account? remittances is a critical pathway to expanding financial inclusion and increasing individuals’ opportunities to save and invest. ?? In this first half year, partners have facilitated over $500 million in digital, deposit-to-account remittances! Partners have achieved this milestone through strategies that include financial education, community engagement, product innovation and more. Thank you to our partners who have been a part of this: Banco Cuscatlán El Salvador, Grupo Ficohsa, Grupo LAFISE, Bam, Bancoagrícola, Banco Davivienda, Viamericas Corporation, Millicom (Tigo). Read more here https://lnkd.in/gg6YpkZZ Press release here https://bit.ly/3B7YF5p

PCA partners, Fundación Terra and Glasswing International are working together to support the youth of Central America. With this alliance, they are supporting the Central American Service Corps (CASC) to jointly achieve goals of creating greater opportunities for Honduran youth and strengthening collaboration in the region. Through strategic alliances like this, our partners are committed to providing opportunities, fostering excellence, and accompanying young people on their journey towards personal and collective transformation.

PCA partner Accion is advancing understanding of the remittance ecosystem in Central America through their recently-launched white paper. Remittances are vital for families and a key capital inflow for developing economies. Our new report explores innovative solutions to streamline the remittance process in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, making it more efficient and affordable. By addressing barriers and enhancing digital remittance services, we’re driving economic growth and financial inclusion in the region. For more information, reach out to Alejandro Amorin, Payments Manager NT LATAM, Global Advisory Solutions, at [email protected] Discover more about their impactful work here: https://bit.ly/3VWIOgW

Last week, Partnership for Central America's Executive Director Jonathan Fantini Porter joined the International Organization for Migration and Foreign Minister of Mexico in Mexico City to advance?private sector approaches to skills matching, job placement, and integration support for migrant workers. Under IOM Director General Amy Pope's leadership, collaborative initiatives between governments and private enterprises were announced to create more opportunities for safe, orderly, and regular migration while addressing labour shortages and fostering economic growth across the region.