The Central American Bank for Economic Integration approved a line of credit for the country to reinforce its fiscal sustainability and strengthen its macroeconomic stability, in the context of the economic crisis that arose from the outbreak of covid-19.
In this way, Costa Rica becomes the first nation to receive the maximum amount of $250 million per year available for each country under the Development Policy Operations Program (DPO), reported the international organization.
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration approved a line of credit for the country to finance works to expand coverage, energy efficiency and resilience to climate change.
The funds will be used to finance part of the Development Policy Operations Program (OPD) to support the country in implementing the General Law on the Electricity Industry (LGIE).
On July 8, the Salvadoran government issued $1 billion in bonds on the international market at a 9.5% interest rate with a maturity date of 2052.
The resources collected through this international issue are part of the $3 billion debt issuance authorized by the government and will be used to finance the health and economic crisis resulting from the spread of the Covid-19.
Standard & Poor's downgraded the foreign debt rating from B+ to B with a negative outlook, arguing that there is uncertainty due to the lack of flexibility of the Alvarado administration in implementing fiscal policy in the country.
The negative perspective in the new risk note, anticipates that there is a possibility that in the next 12 months the rating will be degraded again, if the authorities adopt policies that damage the country's financial profile.
The rating agency decided to keep the long-term issuer's note at B2, but changed the risk outlook from stable to negative, arguing that there are greater risks to the country's financing due to increased borrowing requirements.
The affirmation of Costa Rica's B2 rating takes into account the sovereign's levels of wealth above its peers and its dynamic economy.
The country issued $500 million in the international market with a 12-year term, at a rate of 5.37%, and $700 million in the 30-year term, at an interest rate of 6.13%.
The operation was carried out through the Bank of America (BOFA), one of the most important investment banks in the world, chosen through a competitive process, informed the Public Finance Ministry (Minfin).
The IMF approved a loan in favor of the Panamanian government, whose funds will be used to finance health expenses and support the vulnerable population affected by the covid.19
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved Panama's request for emergency financial assistance under the Rapid Financing Facility (RFF) of approximately $515 million to meet urgent balance of payments needs arising from the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic, the international body reported.
Arguing that a lower economic growth and a higher fiscal deficit are expected due to the effects of the covid-19, the agency decided to modify from BB to BB- the country risk rating.
The situation of the tax burden in the country is another factor affecting Fitch's decision, which was communicated to the Banco de Guatemala through the preliminary bulletin that the agency sent to the authorities.
The government issued $2.5 billion in sovereign bonds in the international market, maturing in 2056 and with an interest rate of 4.5%.
It is worth noting that this is the first sovereign bond issue since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis in all of Latin America and that this transaction was executed with great success, exceeding more than 3 times the amount issued, reported the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
In order to face the health crisis, the Assembly authorized the issuance of securities for up to $2 billion, which will be issued in the national or international market.
According to the motion, 70% of the funds obtained will be used, as a priority, to attend to the health emergency and may be allocated to the fund for direct monetary transfers to economically vulnerable households, to cover the income shortfalls in the current budget, generated by covid-19 and to incorporate the resources into the General State Budget 2020, informed the Legislative Assembly.
The Costa Rican Assembly approved in second debate a credit with the Latin American Development Bank, which will be used to assist people who lose their jobs, as well as employers and independent workers.
The funds from the $500 million loan from the Andean Development Cooperation, which was originally planned to be used for debt repayment, will be used to finance the Costa Rican government's response to the national emergency caused by the Covid-19 virus, the Legislative Assembly reported.
As of January 2020, the country's private sector external debt amounted to Ch$1,802 million, 9.78% higher than that reported for the same month in 2019.
The Ministry of Finance issued Treasury Bonds for an amount equivalent to $116 million, of which $52 million was in local currency and $64 million in foreign currency.
The overall amount of Treasury Bonds issued by the Republic of Guatemala so far, amounts to $414 million, corresponding to Fiscal Year 2020, of which one million correspond to Treasury Bonds issuances for small investors.
The rating agency kept the country's debt rating at B3, but decided to change the outlook from stable to positive, arguing that the government's liquidity risks have been substantially reduced.
The affirmation of El Salvador's B3 sovereign ratings reflects high public debt ratios and a growing interest burden, the rating agency said.
Treasury authorities announced that plans for this year are to negotiate with the Legislative Assembly for approval to issue debt in the international market, and if approved, the issuance would take place in 2021.
Last year the executive branch's plans were to issue $6 billion in Eurobonds, but the Legislative Assembly approved the issuance of only $1.5 billion, arguing that the amount proposed at the beginning was too high.
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