Loans

Loans granted by FONPLATA are one of the financial instruments most widely used by the member countries to fund pre-investment and investment projects including programs, studies and works aimed at achieving a harmonious and inclusive development within and across the River Plate Basin areas of influence.

Fundings cover a wide range of areas from projects on infrastructure and physical integration to production and social and environmental development, among others, aiming at strengthening the sustainability of social and economic progress.

For that purpose, FONPLATA uses its own resources as well as those raised from international financial cooperation, on financial markets and other mechanisms available in order to fund the sustainable development of the member countries.

For each loan transaction, the financial conditions are determined and interest rates, commissions, disbursement and amortization deadlines, grace period, local contribution and guarantees, among other details are negotiated with the borrower under the Fund’s operating policies.

Types of loans

  • Specific investment projects: Traditional funding for specific projects in which investments have already been determined — construction works, goods acquisition or provision of services — to be executed within a fixed time frame.
  • Global program for multiple works: Financing of two or more similar but independent works, which are identified and integrated into the program during the agreed execution period.
  • Conditional line of credit for projects: Programmatic instrument to finance similar development projects for institutions with strong project implementation capabilities.
  • Program for Proportional Investment Funding: Partial funding to support an annual investment program, in an agreed sector or subsector, within a determined time frame.
  • Results-based program: Financing of projects whose disbursements are subject to the fulfillment of its main objective, after verification of a matrix of expected results indicators (intermediate and final).
  • Funding in successive stages to be achieved by the borrower: An instrument that follows the evolution of the programming of the investments to be supported.
  • Expedited emergency resources: Upon request of the member countries, investment loans may include the possibility of reallocating a percentage of the funding established in the General Conditions of the Loan Agreement to meet urgent needs arising from emergencies.

Technical cooperation

FONPLATA — Development Bank makes available to its member countries cooperation through technical and financial resources with the purpose of transferring knowledge and qualified experiences that help to supplement and strengthen the capacity for project preparation and execution. This includes subregional studies on economic and social development, environmental protection and improvement, and conservation of natural resources, as well as other initiatives that may be considered a priority by the Development Bank, such as the promotion of the transfer and adaptation of applied technologies and knowledge, and the holding of technical seminars and other similar events, within the framework of the objectives of the Institutional Strategic Plan.

Technical cooperation is offered through consultancy services provided by individual consultants, consultancy firms, universities, science and technology research institutes and companies, public or private national, regional or international organizations.

On its own or together with other international organizations, FONPLATA may promote or participate in training activities, courses, conferences, seminars and symposiums, as well as management training for project administration, support research activities carried out by universities, research institutes or subregional organizations made up of its member countries.

ICO line

First Funding Agreement

On December 17, 2018, FONPLATA signed with the Instituto de Crédito Oficial (Official Credit Institute of Spain) – ICO a contract aimed at implementing a credit line to facilitate the funding of loans in its member countries.

The USD 15-million line facilitates the funding of loans with “Spanish interest” in contracts signed between 01/01/2017 and 17/12/2020. Are eligible for this line projects carried out in member countries of the Development Bank in accordance with the Institution's socio-environmental and procurement regulations.

The first investment under this line of credit, of USD 5.5 million, was executed by Spanish companies in November 2019. The operation will benefit the projects “Construction and Improvement of Sanitation Systems in Localities of the Santa Lucía River Basin”, in Uruguay, and “Equipment of the Alcantarí International Airport”, in Chuquisaca, Bolivia.

There is “Spanish interest” when I) there is direct or indirect participation of a Spanish company, of at least 30%, in the capital of the borrower or guaranteed capital; or II) the supplies, works or services provided by Spanish companies account for at least 30% of the total investment of the project.

Second Funding Agreement

On June 23, 2021, FONPLATA signed a second funding agreement with the Spanish Official Credit Institute (ICO) for USD 15 million, aiming at financing investment projects in the River Plate Basin that include the participation of Spanish companies.

The first disbursement of this second line of credit, of USD 6.7 million, took place on June 2022, and a second disbursement of USD 5.5 million, in November of the same year. Both payouts were used to improve mobility and connectivity in transport services in the metropolitan region of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The project, conducted by a Spanish company, will provide important benefits to users’ quality of life, i.e., to the population in general and the low-income population in particular.

Third Funding Agreement

On May 16, 2024, FONPLATA signed a third funding agreement with the ICO, for USD 25 million, within the framework of the ICO International Channel Line, as the two first agreements.

This agreement will promote financial support for the green transition in Latin America. The projects to be funded include those aimed at the sustainable use of water and universal access to sanitation, as well as those related to energy efficiency, such as renewable energy production, sustainable transport and industrial decarbonization.

Furthermore, ICO and FONPLATA will seek to channel part of the financial resources to digitalization, technology and innovation projects that promote competitiveness, growth, productivity, and the generation of employment for Spanish businesses in Latin America.