{"id":156096,"date":"2025-03-28T20:11:55","date_gmt":"2025-03-28T19:11:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/?p=156096"},"modified":"2025-03-28T20:36:26","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T19:36:26","slug":"idbs-financial-arm-aims-to-double-number-of-investors-in-latam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/en\/idbs-financial-arm-aims-to-double-number-of-investors-in-latam\/","title":{"rendered":"IDB Invest aims to double number of investors in LatAm"},"content":{"rendered":"

Santiago, Mar. 28 (EFE).<\/strong> \u2014 IDB Invest<\/strong><\/a>, the financial arm of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)<\/strong>, announced Friday its goal to double the number of investors<\/strong> in Latin America and the Caribbean<\/strong>, urging the private sector<\/strong> to increase its presence in the region.<\/p>\n

James Scriven, CEO of IDB Invest, addressed a business forum held in parallel with the annual meetings of the IDB and IDB Invest\u2014set to conclude Sunday in the Chilean capital<\/strong>. He noted that the institution had already attracted around 260 investors or co-investors<\/strong> in recent years.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019ve already mapped 500 investors who are willing or able to invest in Latin America and the Caribbean, and we won\u2019t stop until those 263 become 500,\u201d said Scriven.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Chile\u2019s
Chile\u2019s Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism, Nicol\u00e1s Grau Veloso, speaks during the third day of the 2025 Annual Meetings of the IDB and IDB Invest Boards of Governors in Santiago, Chile. EFE\/Elvis Gonz\u00e1lez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Shared Interest in Regional Development<\/h3>\n

IDB President Ilan Goldfajn<\/strong>, also speaking at the forum, emphasized that private-sector involvement in development<\/strong> is not merely strategic, but essential.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe role of the private sector in development is not just an economic or tactical strategy\u2014it\u2019s a shared interest that unites the region and drives job creation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Goldfajn stressed that private investment<\/strong> would \u201cstrengthen industries, improve competitiveness, and benefit businesses, workers, and communities alike.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bank pointed to a $4.2 trillion funding gap<\/strong> in emerging markets necessary to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)<\/strong>. Of this, $2.2 trillion<\/strong> is needed in Latin America and the Caribbean for infrastructure investment over the next five years.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, nearly $53 trillion in global financial assets<\/strong> could potentially be mobilized for this purpose.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBut money alone isn\u2019t enough,\u201d Goldfajn added. \u201cInvestors need more than just our financing. They need the right conditions to thrive. It\u2019s essential to create an enabling environment for mobilizing resources.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"European
European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef S\u00edkela speaks during the third day of the 2025 Annual Meetings of the IDB and IDB Invest Boards of Governors in Santiago, Chile. EFE\/Elvis Gonz\u00e1lez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Contracts, Sectors, and the Enabling Environment<\/h3>\n

The IDB finances roughly $4.5 billion annually<\/strong> in procurement for development projects, generating over 12,000 contracts<\/strong> in sectors like health<\/strong>, water<\/strong>, energy<\/strong>, transportation<\/strong>, agriculture<\/strong>, and digital infrastructure<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\u201cA strong economy is built on an efficient public sector that balances the need for regulation with policies that enable and provide flexibility for private-sector development,\u201d Goldfajn said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Chilean Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism Nicol\u00e1s Grau<\/strong> echoed the sentiment, citing bureaucratic bottlenecks.<\/p>\n

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\u201cPermitting is a competitive weakness in our country, even as we work to create conditions that place new investments and innovations at the forefront of tackling environmental challenges,\u201d Grau said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"BID
IDB Invest CEO James Scriven speaks during the 2025 Annual Meetings of the IDB and IDB Invest Boards of Governors in Santiago. EFE\/Elvis Gonz\u00e1lez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Global Collaboration for Regional Leadership<\/h3>\n

European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef S\u00edkela<\/strong> emphasized the need for transatlantic cooperation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\u201cEurope, Latin America, and the Caribbean are united by a commitment to democracy, human rights, and universal values, as well as by the ambition to strengthen competitiveness and lead global sustainability initiatives,\u201d S\u00edkela said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cToday, we stand united on the global stage to face some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from fighting climate change to defending the international order.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The IDB sees a growing urgency to attract more investors and spur private-sector growth<\/strong> to drive employment, innovation, and sustainability<\/strong>. The bank believes that Latin America and the Caribbean<\/strong> are well-positioned to lead in tackling many of the world\u2019s greatest challenges.<\/p>\n

A Milestone Gathering<\/h3>\n

The annual meetings, hosted at the Estaci\u00f3n Mapocho Cultural Center<\/strong>, officially convened Friday with the 65th IDB Board of Governors Assembly<\/strong> and the 39th IDB Invest Assembly<\/strong>, comprising finance and economy ministers<\/strong> and senior officials from across the region and member states. EFE<\/p>\n