Trade
The IDB considers increased trade a key tool for economic growth and development in the Latin America and the Caribbean.
The global financial crisis has reduced access to trade finance and increased borrowing costs for countries in the region. The IDB has expanded the scope of its trade finance program with banks to help companies preserve their export markets.
The Bank's Trade Finance Facilitation Program (TFFP) now offers loans in addition to guarantees. The funds available for the program were increased to $1 billion from $400 million and the credit line now supports non-dollar denominated trade finance transactions. The change addresses the growing demand of transactions denominated in other currencies, especially in euros.