CABEI to finance modern food supply center in Costa Rica
The project is an integral and adjusted proposal to the problems and needs of the Chorotega Region agrifood system.
San José, August 14, 2017. – In order to support what will soon be the most modern supply center in Costa Rica, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) will provide US$48 million to finance the Chorotega Regional Wholesale Market.
Last Monday, the company that will be in charge of work supervision, which is denominated “Acciona Ingeniería El Salvador,” was announced. The companies that will be responsible for the construction and equipment, including Constructora Volio and Trejos Asociados, were also announced.
On this occasion, CABEI Country Manager for Costa Rica, Mauricio Chacón, stated that this CABEI investment seeks to support the project, "Construction and Equipment of the Regional Wholesale Market of the Chorotega Region," which aims to provide the Chorotega region with a an efficient system for the supply, distribution and commercialization of agrifood products.
Mr. Chacón added that, “CABEI’s 2015-2019 Institutional Strategy promotes the strategic axis of Social Development, concentrating on the focus area of Rural Development and Environment, as well as on Competitiveness Services, and seeks to support initiatives that improve agricultural and fishing activities under a scheme of rural development and environmental sustainability, as well as human capital development and quality of life of the population, through the provision of services to cover basic needs and the creation of opportunities to streamline the labor market.”
About the project
The Chorotega Market will be equipped with two warehouses with a total of 52 100m2-locales for the commercialization of agricultural products. In addition, it will have seven cooling chambers, two freezing tunnels, an administrative area, maintenance workshop and waste management area, as well as areas for loading, parking and circulation.
The project’s global objectives are as follows:
• Improve frequency and supply periods.
• Improve price setting in the region.
• Diversify the supply of food products in the region.
• Distribute safe and quality products to the population.
• Diversify the region’s production system.
With regard to demand, the project will benefit a total of 399,054 inhabitants established in the target area; 81.93% of the population lives in the province of Guanacaste, 11.01% belongs to the canton of Upala and 5.95% to the communities of the central canton of the province of Puntarenas located in the Nicoya peninsula.
Likewise, a total of 1,933 owners of establishments that are dedicated to the distribution and/or elaboration of food products destined for the population indicated in the previous paragraph, will benefit from a locale that will be stocked with quality products, functional supply schedules, low prices, infrastructure for the supply of cold products and infrastructure for the storage of products in their natural state; all this will ensure a supply of varied and quality products in the region.
With respect to supply, the project has the potential of benefitting 17,500 producers, who will have a more direct channel and modern infrastructure for the preparation and sale of their products.
CABEI, which is the region’s development bank and has a deep understanding of the situations faced by its members countries and their communities, is completely committed to continue strengthening its role as a strategic ally for its member countries in the provision of financial solutions that contribute to generating employment and raising the quality of life of inhabitants.
