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Vice President Harris and PCA unveil $1B in new commitments for economic growth

by Lily Chang
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The Partnership for Central America (PCA) and Vice President Kamala Harris have jointly announced today an impressive sum of over $1 billion in fresh investments from the private sector. This landmark initiative, known as Central America Forward (CAF), is a dynamic public-private collaboration that emerged in direct response to the Vice President’s Call to Action for Northern Central America.

Main highlights

  • Since May 2021, the combined value of new commitments has surpassed $5.2 billion.
  • Over 50 companies and organizations have pledged their support for fostering inclusive economic growth.
  • These investments will generate employment opportunities, enhance digital connectivity, and uplift economic well-being.
  • The newly announced commitments encompass a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, financial inclusion, steel production, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), youth training, and more.

Fresh pledges

  • Acceso to invest $3.6 million in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to strengthen local food systems.
  • Banco Cuscatlan to invest over $30 million in financial inclusion in El Salvador.
  • Corporación AG to invest over $150 million in Guatemala, creating jobs.
  • Ficohsa to increase their SME loan portfolio by $490 million, prioritizing women-led businesses.
  • JA Worldwide to provide skills training to over 1,800 vulnerable girls.
  • Meta to train 250,000 youth and entrepreneurs.
  • Pearson to upskill English language learners.
  • Pantaleon to invest over $42 million in Guatemala.
  • Conecta to invest over $260 million in electrical power transmission in Guatemala.

Effect

  • Focus on financial inclusion, skilling, job creation, digital access, and supporting entrepreneurs.
  • Additional initiatives include promoting good governance, supporting a service corps, and boosting remittance transfers.

These investments are generating concrete opportunities for families and communities, benefiting students, employees, entrepreneurs, and households, while also establishing a model that mobilizes private sector commitments to fuel economic development.

These pledges demonstrate a strong dedication to sustainable growth and inclusive development in the region, tackling essential issues such as job creation, digital access, and financial inclusion. The partnership serves as a prime example of the transformative potential that arises from the collaboration between government and private sector entities, working together to foster positive change and construct a more prosperous future for Central America.