devinitorg/iati-policy-markers huggingface dataset:
DAP LT Financing Desarrollo Agricola del Paraguay S.A. (DAP or the Company) is one of the leading farming companies in Paraguay. IFC started its relationship with DAP in 2009 with a short term facility followed by an equity investment to support its operations. DAP currently owns more than 26,000 hectares and leases another 8,000 hectares in Paraguay to cultivate soybean, corn and sunflower with a social-inclusive and sustainable approach. It outsources farming operations to local specialized service providers such as seeding, fertilizing, harvesting, storage, and transportation operators.     Desarrollo Agricola del Paraguay LT Financing (the Project) consists of providing a corporate long term facility to DAP for the financing of permanent working capital needs to sustain its farming activities in Paraguay. DAP is having a significant developmental impact by supporting a more productive farming business model in Paraguay, which is expected in turn to make significant contribution to Paraguay''s rural economic development as well as to global food security. DAP''s main impacts include:  (i) DAP''s innovative approach to establish trust-based relationships with the local peasant communities. DAP''s initiatives help rural families to improve their farming practices, triggering a virtuous circle of development.  (ii) DAP is partnering with leading NGOs and local community organizations to develop outreach programs for rural farmers to improve their access to new markets by (a) capacity building on good agricultural practices, (b) advise on product diversification (e.g. organic products), and (c) improve access to roads and logistic services.  (iii) DAP has contributed to the development of a new class of agricultural service companies and SMEs agri-contractors in frontier rural areas that provide various services and inputs to the Company.  DAP supports indirect employment for 850 persons working for more than 44 SMEs agri-contractors, which DAP promotes through trainings, workshops, and social activities.  (iv) DAP contributes to food security by promoting soil conservation agriculture expertise (no-till farming), sustainable pest management (IPM) and world-class farm technology and management, increasing the yields and sustainability of owned and leased farms.
Regional CL PYG The proposed investment involves supporting Banco Regional S.A. (Banco Regional or the Bank or the Company) in providing long-term financing in Guaranies to crucial sectors of the economy such as SMEs, and in facilitating increased mortgage lending especially for affordable housing.

The Project will be sourced through IFCs recently signed master swap agreement with the Central Bank of Paraguay. The Project is expected to have a high development impact as it will help an IFC client to bolster its financial services and products to Paraguayan companies and individuals, supporting economic activity and job creation in Paraguay.

On an institutional level, by providing access to longer-term local currency financig, IFC will help Banco Regional to introduce new products in the financial system limiting foreign currency risk.  On a sector level, the introduction of longer-term financing in the market will supply more options to SME's and individual borrowers, therefore generating a range of social and economic benefits which include promoting economic growth and raising productivity, as well as increasing banking penetration in rural areas. The anticipated development impacts of the Project are to:

-	Enhance access to finance for SMEs.  The Project will allow the Bank to provide its clients access to funding in Guaranies with longer maturities, enabling them to undertake investment projects with more appropriate financing structures;

-	Generate a demonstration effect.  The Project is expected to create a demonstration effect for other banks and further enhance IFC's developmental impact in Paraguay; and

-	Assist in the deepening of Paraguay's financial sector by increasing access to finance for low-income groups and other priority sectors such as affordable housing.
Agrotec III 0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0.0000          Agrotec S.A. (Agrotec or the Company) is one of Paraguays leading crop input distributor and agronomy services company operating since 1990. Agrotec offers a one-stop shop to more than 800 client farmers, providing seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, technical support, storage and logistic services, pre-harvest financing, as well as commercialization of the grains of its farmer client base. The Companys strategy is to develop strong relationships with farmers providing integral agronomic services from sowing planning and advice, through the provision of seeds, nutrition integration and crop protection. Agrotec operates 13 Regional Distribution Centers (RDCs)  ,   including its   headquarters   in Ciudad del Este  . They are   located near the major crop regions of Paraguay to guarantee a rapid delivery of inputs and efficient customer service to its clients.    The Project consists of providing Agrotec an up to $  20   million one year loan facility (the Facility) with up to four renewable tranches, and a long term facility   of   up to US$  5   million to support the working capital needs of the Company. The most significant, expected project-level outcome is improved access to key inputs for farmers leading to better yields and incomes. Beyond the project, IFC anticipates that the project has the potential to promote greater market competitiveness and sustainability via demonstration and replication channels
Agrotec Extension Agrotec S.A. (Agrotec or the Company) is one of Paraguays leading crop input distributor and agronomy services company operating since 1990. Agrotec offers a one-stop shop to more than 800 client farmers, providing seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, technical support, storage and logistic services, pre-harvest financing, as well as commercialization of the grains of its farmer client base. The Companys strategy is to develop strong relationships with farmers providing integral agronomic services from sowing planning and advice, through the provision of seeds, nutrition integration and crop protection. Agrotec operates 11 Regional Distribution Centers (RDCs) including its HQ in Ciudad del Este located near the major crop regions of Paraguay to guarantee a rapid delivery of inputs and efficient customer service to its clients.  The Project consists of providing Agrotec an up to $15 million one year loan facility (the Facility) with up to four renewable tranches, and a long term facility up to US$10 million to support the working capital needs of the Company. The Project is expected to have a significant development impact by - Reaching farmers operating in rural frontier regions - Supporting the dissemination of agricultural and inputs handling best practices to farmers - Generating tax income for the Government - Additional employment following the growth of the Company - Demonstration effect of supporting a sustainable operation in Paraguay
GTLP Itau PY CL IFC will provide a $40 million facility to Banco Itaú Paraguay (Itaú Paraguay) to be on-lent to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and to Agricultural sector players in Paraguay. 

The Project will support an IFC existing client with a dominant position in the retail segment, but which intends to grow its SME portfolio. Furthermore, the Project represents an excellent opportunity for IFC to mobilize resources from other DFIs into Paraguay, not only reaching small farmers and Agri-SMEs which are key drivers of the economic activity in the country, but also generating a demonstration effect that will contribute to consolidate IFCs programmatic approach in the Country. - The Project will enhance access to long-term finance for farmers and SMEs, enabling Itau Paraguay's clients to undertake capital investments at longer tenors and competitive terms;
- Due to the maximum average sub-loan size of up to US$1 million, the facility will be 100% used to serve SMEs;
- The mobilization of resources from other DFIs into Paraguay will support and consolidate the improvement of the business climate experienced by the Country over the past few years.
Regional CL The proposed investment involves supporting Banco Regional S.A.E.C.A. (Banco Regional or the Bank) in providing medium- and long-term financing to Paraguayan SMEs.

The primary objective of the Project is to support an existing client of IFC with a strong focus in the agribusiness sector, but that intends to expand into other economic sectors. By enhancing access to finance for SMEs (a key driver of the economic activity in Paraguay), the proposed investment will enable IFC to consolidate its programmatic approach in the local financial sector. - The Project will allow Banco Regional to provide its SME clients access to funding with longer maturities enabling them to undertake capital investments at longer tenors and attractive costs;
- Given the nationwide presence of the Bank, the Project will contribute to rural economic development while reaching the BOP in rural areas;
- Due to the maximum average sub-loan size of US$1 million, the facility will be 100% used to finance SMEs;
- IFC will enhance its support to the expansion of a leading financial institution in the Paraguayan system.
RSE COVID Agrofertil Ext Agrofertil is highly dependent on access to working capital facilities to finance the sale of inputs to farmers. Given the COVID-19 outbreak, there is a risk that local banks in Paraguay reduce their financing to the real sector by decreasing financing lines to remain liquid in a volatile context with potential increase of NPLs. By supporting its clients' capacity to sustain operations during this acute shock, IFC best positions the private sector to support the economic recovery process, shortening the time it will take for the most vulnerable to return to their traditional income-earning opportunities.
Continental CLII The proposed investment consists of a senior loan to Banco Continental S.A.E.C.A (Continental or the Bank) for up to US$100 million to finance small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and agribusiness companies in Paraguay (the Project). The Project will contribute to close the finance gap for SMEs and agribusiness companies in Paraguay, leveraging the Bank's operational capacity to lend in these segments. In addition, IFC anticipates that the Project will have economy-wide effects by promoting job creation in the SME and agribusiness sectors.
Familiar CL The proposed investment consists of an up to 5-year loan for up to US$8 million to be provided by IFC to Banco Familiar S.A.E.C.A (Familiar or the Bank) and an up to 3-year loan for up to US$17 million to be mobilized from other lenders under IFC's B lender program to expand the Banks micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) lending program (the Project) in Paraguay (the Country). The Project will contribute to close the finance gap for MSMEs in Paraguay, leveraging the Bank's operational capacity to lend to this segment. In addition, IFC anticipates that the Project will have economy-wide effects by promoting job creation.
Continental EQ The proposed project will consist of an IFC investment of up to $20 million in ordinary common shares, another convertible instrument or a combination thereof.  The primary objective of the project is to develop a long-term partnership with a fully locally-owned existing client, while providing support to a key local player to further expand the access to financial services to those segments that remain highly underserved by other financial institutions, such as SMEs. In addition, in the presence of the existing market dynamics, IFCs investment constitutes one of the very limited viable alternatives to strengthen the capital base of the largest locally-owned bank of Paraguay, which will contribute to improve the risk profile of the Bank, eventually deriving in a better risk rating and overall lower funding cost. - Support the development of the banking market.   IFCs support to Banco Continental will contribute to foster its engagement with the Paraguayan financial system, at a time when local banks are facing increasing concerns on the verge of the global financial crisis.   - Enhance access to finance for unattended and priority sectors.   The Project will allow Banco Continental to provide its SME client base access to funding with longer maturities both in local currency and US$ enabling these to undertake capital investments at longer tenors and attractive costs. By partnering with Banco Continental IFC can leverage on national coverage to efficiently reach those segments of the population with limited access to financial services, therefore improving the living standards of these sectors.  - Support the growth of Banco Continental.   IFC will be supporting the growth of a well run local bank, which would like to play an increasingly active role in providing longer-term funding to those productive sectors of Paraguay which constitute a key driver of the economic growth of the country.
UABL III Project UABL Limited (the Company), an existing IFC client, is the largest barge operator on the Paraná-Paraguay river system in South America.  The company primarily transports:   - soy products and iron ore from Paraguay, Bolivia and Western Brazil for final export markets in Europe and Asia; and  - petroleum products into Paraguay for domestic consumption.    UABL is expanding its 2011-2013 investment program to (i) accelerate the acquisition of dry bulk barges; (ii) modify and refurbish part of its existing barge fleet; and (iii) repower existing pushboats and acquire new pushboats, tugboats and ancillary equipment to grow its river transport operations and to satisfy growing demand.    The proposed project will allow UABL to further optimize its operations, increase fuel efficiency and expand the transport capacity in the River System (the Project or UBAL III). The proposed IFC financing would help:  - increase capacity and reduce the cost of transportation on the River System benefiting multiple commodity producers, shippers and consumers;  - support the agricultural development in inland Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina by connecting farmers to global transportation links and helping to expand feasible production areas;  - support the development of iron ore and steel industries in Brazil and Argentina, respectively; - reduce harmful effects on the climate by decreasing UABL''s fuel consumption per unit transported and avoiding the use of trucks; and  - encourage competing barge operators to increase their efficiency and, therefore, serve as a catalyst for increased trading activity in the region.
Agrofertil Project Agrofertil (or the Company), founded in 1993, is one of Paraguays leading crop input distributor and agronomic services companies.  The Company assists farmers, cooperatives and small distributors providing technical support, agricultural inputs and pre-harvest financing.  

The project consists of providing a working capital facility to Agrofertil to support the pre-harvest financing needs of its network of clients (the Project).  The Project will increase access to working capital finance for farmers in Paraguay, who will also benefit from Agrofertils commercialization services and technical expertise. 

The Project consists of providing Agrofertil a one- year loan facility (the Facility) with up to five renewable tranches and composed of an A-Loan of up to $15 million and a B-Loan of up to $10 million, subject to market appetite. The Project is expected to have a significant development impact by (i) reaching farmers operating in frontier regions (likely to include a significant share in BOP), (ii) supporting the dissemination of agricultural best practices and inputs to farmers, (iii) generating tax income for the Government, and (iv) employment.
Vision CL PYG The proposed project (the Project) consists of a 5-year Guarani-denominated A-Loan for an equivalent of up to US$15 million to Vision Banco S.A.E.C.A. (the Bank, VB or Vision). The Project, which will increase access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises, will be sourced through IFCs Master Swap Agreement with the Central Bank of Paraguay.  VB was created in 1992 as a financial company, and was transformed into a bank in January 2008. The Bank mainly targets MSMEs and has become a leading microfinance institution. Vision has an extensive commercial network of 89 branches with national coverage and has over 318,000 customers. VB is ranked 5th out of 16 banks in terms of assets in the financial system. - Enhance access to finance for MSMEs.  The Project will allow the Bank to provide its clients access to funding in Guaranies with longer maturities, enabling them to undertake investment projects with more appropriate financing structures;  - Generate a demonstration effect.  The Project is expected to create a demonstration effect for other banks by increasing the level of sophistication of the Paraguayan financial system and the BCP, through the greater use of cross-currency swaps, further enhancing IFC's developmental impact in Paraguay; and  - Help expand Paraguay's financial sector. By increasing access to finance for low-income groups and other priority sectors such as MSMEs.
Bancop CL Project The project consists of supporting the set up and growth of Bancop S.A. (the Bank or Bancop), with the primary objective of contributing to increase access to finance for Paraguays farmers and agribusiness small and medium enterprises (SMEs). - The Project is expected to have a high development impact as it will add a new client to IFC''s portfolio in Paraguay, further expanding the reach of financial services and products to Paraguayan micro, small and medium sized companies, supporting economic activity and job creation in Paraguay. - The Project will contribute to rural economic development; - The Project will help deepen access to finance by allowing farmers and agri-SMEs access to funding with longer maturities, enabling them to undertake capital investments at longer tenors and attractive costs. - The Project will enhance investor confidence and generate a demonstration effect. IFC''s investment in Bancop will serve as an additional indicator to private investors on the possibilities presented by the local financial system and is expected to create a demonstration effect for other banks and further enhance IFC''s developmental impact in Paraguay. - The Project will support the expansion of a greenfield financial institution in the Paraguayan financial system.
NFD Agro Project Frontera Agropecuaria del Paraguay S.A. (FAP), Sociedad de Inversión Agropecuaria del Paraguay S.A. (SIAP) and Desarrollo Agrícola del Paraguay S.A. (DAP), collectively the company is one of the main organized industrial scale agriculture farming companies in Paraguay.  It started operations in Paraguay in 2005 by acquiring and leasing grazing land and converting it into farm land.  The company has since acquired approximately 25,000 ha and leased 10,000 ha of land to cultivate soybean, corn and sunflower.  It outsources farming operation to local specialized service providers such as seeding, fertilizing, harvesting, storage, and transportation operators.   To take advantage of the leading position it has developed, the company is implementing an expansion plan in Paraguay to bring incremental land into production and increase supply of food grain (the Project). IFCs participation in the project will have significant development impact, through the support of the industrial scale farming enterprise in Paraguay, which is expected to make significant contribution to rural economic development. The Companys development is expected to have significant development impact as follows:  - Improvements in land productivity of owned and leased farms and increased supply of grains and oilseeds - Transfer of conservation (no-till) technology expertise and world class agricultural model, increasing the productivity  of owned/leased farms - Demonstration impact of agronomic best practices, unlocking production potential of frontier agricultural land  - Development of agri services and supply chain sector in Paraguay. Historically this sector has not been developed in the country and the Companys entry has led to at least 5 independent services companies being established in Paraguay. - Linkages with local businesses, and SME contractors in rural areas, which provide various agronomic services to the Project has developed 6 SME contractors who have invested over $8 million in machinery - Incremental income tax for the government - Geographically dispersed operations could become anchors for the development of surrounding rural communities. The company has built alliances with leading national NGOs and local community organizations to carry out the development work with neighboring rural communities.
Itau PY Loan The proposed project consists of a 7-year loan for US$60 million to be provided by IFC to Banco Itau Paraguay S.A. (Itau Paraguay or the Bank") to support its lending activities to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Paraguay, and an additional US$30 million loan under IFCs Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program (MCPP) under the same terms and conditions (the Project).   Itau Paraguay is the largest bank in Paraguay in terms of assets, deposits and equity and the second largest by size of loans. The Bank employs 851 staff and has 34 branches and 305 ATMs across the country. IFC''s long-term financing is expected to bring high development impact by enhancing the Bank''s capacity to support access to finance for SMEs, resulting in higher growth, employment generation and poverty reduction. Furthermore, the project would generate a demonstration effect by signaling other private investors about the potential presented by the local financial system.
Continental CL III The proposed investment consists of: (i) a senior A loan of up to US$50 million, (ii) a B loan of up to US$25 million, and (iii) a Trust Loan under IFCs Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program of up to US$37.5 million to Banco Continental S.A.E.C.A. (Continental or the Bank) to expand the Banks small and medium enterprises (SMEs) lending program, of which at least 25% will be on-lent to Women-Owned SMEs (WSMEs) (the Project). IFC anticipates that the Project will contribute to narrowing the finance gap for SMEs including WSMEs in Paraguay. The SME finance gap in Paraguay is US$3.9 billion according to the MSME Finance Forum, representing approximately 14% of the country's GDP. Informal micro and SME demand for finance is estimated at another US$3.8 billion. Improving access to finance and the productivity of SMEs is crucial for the development of Paraguay's economy, as SMEs are a key driver of economic growth and job creation. In addition, women only own 18.9% of the total SMEs in the country and face a US$330 million financing gap. At least 25% of the funds from the Project will be earmarked for WSMEs, which along with IFC technical support is expected to strengthen the Bank's gender strategy.
Agrofertil Ext Agrofertil S.A. (Agrofertil or the Company), founded in 1993, is one of Paraguays leading crop input distributors and agronomic services companies. The Company assists more than 1,800 farmers, providing technical support, agricultural inputs (fertilizers, agrochemicals and seeds) and pre-harvest financing. The Companys headquarters are in Ciudad del Este, and has 20 distribution centers and 14 silos. The project consists of providing an A Loan of up to US$15 million and mobilizing a B Loan of up to US$5 million to Agrofertil to allow the Company to advance inputs to its network of farmers (the "Project"). The Project is expected to have a significant development impact by (i) reaching farmers operating in frontier regions, (ii) supporting the dissemination of agricultural best practices and inputs to farmers, (iii) generating tax income for the Government, (iv) employment, (v) demonstration effect supporting a sustainable operation in Paraguay.