In Washington, D.C.:
Irina Likhachova
Phone: +1 202 473 1813
E-mail: ilikhachova@ifc.org

Adriana Gomez
Phone: +1 202 458 5204
E-mail: agomez@ifc.org


Washington, D.C., June 29, 2009—IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has become one of 12 shareholders of the Latin American Agribusiness Corporation (LAAD) to support the company’s long-term financing for small and medium agribusiness companies across 15 countries in Latin America. IFC has acquired shares in LAAD from Hexion.  

IFC’s investment in LAAD, a financial intermediary that specializes in lending to SMEs in the agribusiness sector, will allow smaller farmers to have access to long-term financing, which is currently scarce in the region, especially for agriculture and agribusiness SMEs. Commercial lenders perceive the sector to be risky especially in the current market conditions of tight liquidity and volatility of agricultural commodity prices. LAAD provides loans of less than $3 million to small and medium farmers to help modernize and expand their operations.

“This equity investment is strengthening our long-term partnership with IFC, and it shows the commitment of both organizations to improving access to finance for agribusiness companies in Latin America. LAAD and IFC share the same values and development goals,” said Benjamin Fernandez, LAAD’s Chief Executive Officer.

Oscar Chemerinski, IFC Director for Agribusiness, said: “LAAD has an excellent track record of more than 30 years in the market of financing agribusiness SMEs. Through our long-term partnership with the company, IFC is helping expand access to financing essential to the growth and increased competitiveness of these enterprises.”

This is IFC’s third investment in LAAD. In 2002 and 2006 IFC provided the company with $20 million and $30 million loans respectively.

About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, creates opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. We foster sustainable economic growth in developing countries by supporting private sector development, mobilizing private capital, and providing advisory and risk mitigation services to businesses and governments. Our new investments totaled $16.2 billion in fiscal 2008, a 34 percent increase over the previous year. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

About LAAD S.A.
LAAD is financial intermediary that specializes in lending to agribusiness SMEs. LAAD operates in 15 Latin American countries and supports farmers who produce a variety of products, ranging from soybean and grains to livestock, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants for exports. In many cases LAAD supports local, family-owned, businesses and long term investments. For more information, visit www.laadsa.com.