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Press release
February 7, 2022
CASEIF IV

FinDev Canada invests in the Central America Small Enterprises Investment Fund (CASEIF IV) to support the growth of enterprises, reinforce local markets, and build economic resilience

Press Release

FinDev Canada, through an investment of US$ 8 million, has joined other leading DFIs to support private equity fund...

Expected Development Impact

MARKET DEVELOPMENT 

  • Supporting business growth through responsive financing and technical assistance solutions: while the private sector is a key contributor to local and regional economic growth, growing businesses are constrained due to limited access to financing that meets their needs. CASEIF IV will contribute to addressing this gap by providing the financing solutions companies need, while also offering tailored technical support to strengthen their operational and financial performance in a responsible and sustainable way. This, in turn, will increase each company’s capacity to support more jobs and stimulate broader economic activity. CASEIF IV will support companies with the implementation of initiatives related to digital transformation, corporate governance, human resources management, gender inclusion, and certifications. 

Women's Economic Empowerment

CASEIF IV is the first fund in Latin America and the Caribbean to be recognized as a 2X Flagship Fund due to its commitment and intentionality on women’s economic empowerment at the fund manager level as well as the portfolio level.

WOMEN’S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 

  • Supporting women entrepreneurs, leaders, and employees: by applying a gender lens to its investment strategy, CASEIF IV will help increase women’s participation in the formal economy as business owners, leaders, and employees. LIM’s experts will support each portfolio company with the implementation of a gender action plan to foster gender-inclusive workplaces and support the recruitment, retention, and career advancement of women. This is a meaningful initiative as only 48% of working-age women in Central America participate in the formal labour force. 
  • Promoting women’s representation in the private equity sector: the fund manager, LIM, will also implement a gender action plan to strengthen its gender-inclusive practices. This will directly support LIM in achieving its commitment to maintain women’s representation within its team at 40% or above. 
  • 2X Challenge and 2X Flagship Fund: this transaction qualifies for the 2X Challenge since at least 30% of CASEIF IV’s investments will be channeled towards 2X eligible businesses, and as LIM is committed to promote women’s representation and quality employment within its team. In fact, CASEIF IV is the first fund in Latin America and the Caribbean to be recognized as a 2X Flagship Fund due to its commitment and intentionality on women’s economic empowerment at the fund manager level as well as the portfolio level. 
     

CLIMATE ACTION

  • Implementing climate-smart practices across portfolio companies: in ensuring the responsible and sustainable growth of investees, LIM’s experts will support portfolio companies with the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) following international standards, and with the implementation of GHG reduction measures, such as energy efficiency solutions