Press Release

Tegucigalpa, April 14, 2020.- In order to provide additional information to the public regarding the early detection tests for COVID-19 donated to the countries of the region, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) communicates the following:

• Following the meeting held on March 12, 2020 with the Presidents of the SICA countries to address the COVID-19 Pandemic, CABEI, committed to its member countries, began special efforts with its extra-regional member and worldwide leader in the manufacturing of this type of tests, South Korea, for the procurement of COVID-19 test kits. In the global context, these products are difficult to acquire since they are being demanded by all the governments of the countries at the same time.

• Having consulted with the Council of Ministers of Health of Central America (COMISCA) regarding the capacities of laboratories in SICA countries, it was decided to acquire the test kit denominated PowerChekTM 2019-nCoV Real-time PCR Kit from a duly certified company. This was officially offered by CABEI to the SICA countries who accepted the donation and, in some cases, requested support from our institution to acquire additional supplies that are used in these processes.

• CABEI reiterates its commitment to continue supporting the region in the face of the negative effects of this pandemic. If requested by its member countries, the Bank is ready and willing to take the necessary steps to facilitate the procurement of additional inputs required by the region's health systems in the face of this emergency.

The Bank's Executive President, Dr. Dante Mossi, stated that, “We reiterate our solidarity and strong support to the countries of the region and will continue working together with our members to mitigate the effects caused by the spread of COVID-19.”