The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a loan agreement with CMI Alimentos Global S.L. (“CMI”), a Central American food company based in Guatemala (“CMI”) and its group companies on December 26, 2024. A commemorative ceremony was held on November 20, 2025, and the loan was disbursed on November 21, 2025.
This year is the “2025 Japan-Central America Year of Exchange,” which marks the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the five Central American countries and Japan, and the implementation of this project is expected to contribute to strengthening relations between the Central American countries and Japan. The project is co-financed by the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IDB-Invest) and the French Economic Cooperation Promotion and Investment Company (Proparco), and the loan from JICA and the co-financing banks will be used for the enhancement of facilities such as food factories and environmental performance improvement in Honduras, El Salvador and Costa Rica.
Ceremony
Loan recipient
CMI Alimentos Global S.L. and 8 other companies
Country (region covered)
Republic of Honduras, Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Costa Rica
Loan/Investment
US$50 million
Project Name
Central America Region Food Access Improvement and Employment Promotion Project
Business Objectives
This project aims to increase sustainable food production and expand the supply chain in Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica by providing long-term loans to CMI Group to support the expansion of facilities and low-carbonization of processed food and feed production plants, diversification of products in the meat processing sector, more efficient waste management, and expansion of the outlet network of small-scale restaurants. This will contribute to improving access to food and creating and maintaining employment in each country.
Business Overview
JICA loan funds will be used by the loan recipients for capital investment to enhance production facilities and sales networks and to improve production efficiency and environmental performance, as well as for working capital for business expansion.
Contribution to SDGs
Goal 1 (Eliminate poverty)
Goal 2 (zero hunger)
Goal 8 (both job satisfaction and economic growth)
Goal 17 (Let’s achieve our goals in partnership)
Other
This project is positioned under the Food Security Response Facility (SAFE), which was established in May 2023.
© Source JICA