Miércoles, 13 de Nov, 2024
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Green and digital transition in Central America

By Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados

Green and digital transition in Central America

The Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO) and the Banco Centroamericano de Integración Económica (BCIE) signed a new financing agreement for USD150 million to support sustainable and digital projects of companies with Spanish interest located in BCIE's main countries of activity, such as Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Costa Rica.

This loan is intended to promote competitiveness, productivity, sustainable economic growth and employment generation. 

The operation also strengthens the ICO-BCIE institutional alliance, as it is the sixth loan that the ICO has granted to the Central American institution. From 2017 to date, all the agreements reached between the two institutions fall within the framework of the ICO International Channel Facility. These agreements have enabled the financing of 100 projects for a total amount of USD 423.9 million in eight different countries in sectors such as construction, wastewater treatment and financial activities.

The new agreement will make it possible to continue the environmental and sustainable development of companies through the financing of new operations with Spanish interest. Among the green projects to be implemented, several have already been identified in the water and sanitation and construction sectors.

ICO will also provide financial resources for the digitalisation of companies as a vehicle for economic growth. This loan will be present in the life of companies linked to technology and artificial intelligence tools to support the digital transformation of the productive fabric.

This sixth financing agreement between BCIE and ICO reaffirms the continued commitment of both institutions to strengthen economic integration and foster business innovation in the Central American region. The funds are intended to facilitate access to the financial resources necessary for companies to implement more sustainable practices.

The ICO International Channel Facility is aimed at promoting the activity and financing of projects of companies with Spanish interest with international presence in third markets, through intermediation with international financial institutions.

This programme transfers the public-private partnership operating scheme of the ICO Facilities to multilateral, public promotional or private banks located abroad. This facilitates the application process for companies and incorporates the institution's knowledge of the local market as an added value. In addition, it allows Spanish companies and self-employed individuals to undertake their business activities in third markets with the possibility of financing in local currency in the countries where the projects or business activity is carried out.

Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados

GUY JOSE BENDAÑA GUERRERO & ASOCIADOS has a long and prosperous tradition in the field of intellectual property (IP) in Nicaragua, with roots that go back to more than 100 years, resulting on long-term relationships with renowned clients and attorneys worldwide.

The firm has its origins in the law firm Henry Caldera & Henry Caldera-Pallais, founded in 1907 by Mr. Henry Caldera. That same year of 1907, through the efforts of Mr. Caldera, Nicaragua had its first Trademark Law. In the late 1930’s, Mr. Caldera’s oldest son, Dr. Henry Caldera-Pallais, after studying law in Nicaragua, attended the University of Michigan, where he graduated as a Registered U.S. Patent Attorney. Dr. Caldera-Pallais in 1964 was a founding member of the Interamerican Association of Intellectual Property (ASIPI), the first regional intellectual property organization in the Americas. The firm continued to grow during the administration of Dr. Franklin Caldera, son of Dr. Caldera-Pallais, who obtained his doctoral degree in law from the Universidad Centroamericana in 1973.

Since 1985 the current partners, Dr. Guy José Bendaña Guerrero and Mrs. Blanca Aragón de Bendaña, took over the management of the firm. Dr. Bendaña Guerrero, Director of the firm, has distinguished himself as one of the most respected authorities in Central America in the field of intellectual property and law in general, being the author of several books such as “Course of Industrial Property Law”, “Study of the new Laws of Industrial Property” and “New Study of Contracts “, among others. Mrs. Aragón de Bendaña has served as the firm’s general manager and, thanks to her excellent management, the firm has been in constant growth, with a highly qualified staff committed to excellence. Since 1996, partner Julián José Bendaña Aragón joined the firm, and has been standing out as one of the most recognized attorneys in the field of intellectual property.

We have adapted to the constant change of the business world, supporting our clients in finding the most appropriate legal solutions for each moment. The firm distinguishes itself by understanding the needs of its clients, offering personalized service and adding value to its activities.

Nowadays we continue to be the leading firm in Nicaragua in the area of intellectual property, and at the same time, we have been consolidating other areas of service within the civil, commercial and labor fields, as well as litigation and consulting in general. The firm is well positioned to guarantee a pragmatic service that meets the requirements of the most demanding clients.

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