Ingresar
Coffee group will finance assets in Nicaragua
By Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados
Rabobank and Mercon Coffee Group announced that the company closed on a USD 500 million sustainability-linked senior secured revolving credit facility led by Rabobank.The new facility consists of a USD 250 million Origin Tranche to finance assets in Mercon’s coffee growing origin countries including Nicaragua, Brazil, Guatemala, Ethiopia and Honduras and a USD 250 million Destination Tranche to finance assets in countries coffee is destined to, such as the U.S. and European countries. The transaction refinances an existing facility with pricing linked to key sustainability initiatives measured by performance indicators that are aligned with Mercon’s long-term strategy and purpose of building a better coffee world.
“As the world-leading food and agricultural financier, sustainability and innovation are key strategic drivers,” said Karel Valken, Rabobank’s Global Head of Trade and Commodity Finance Agri. “Financing coffee and improving the livelihood of smallholder farmers are at the heart of our business and we are very proud to have a shared commitment with Mercon to drive change. This facility is underscoring our mutual ambitions and is unique in its structure”.
Pricing on the facility could be discounted or have a premium applied based on compliance with the sustainability performance indicators. Any discount will be disbursed to Mercon’s holistic and unique sustainability program LIFT for Progress Foundation contributing to the overall wellbeing of coffee growing communities.
LIFT, which started in Nicaragua has now expanded to Guatemala, Honduras, Brazil and Vietnam, is Mercon’s flagship sustainability program. It fundamentally strives to raise the living standards of coffee communities by improving production and quality levels through the adoption of the latest technological developments and environmentally friendly and socially responsible agricultural practices.
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.
