IILA and CAF renew agreement for collaboration in strategic sectors

The Secretary General of IILA, Antonella Cavallari, and the Executive President of CAF – development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, Sergio Díaz-Granados, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the IILA headquarters, renewing and enriching the IILA-CAF collaboration.

The alliance between the two institutions has been strengthening over recent years through CAF's support for several IILA projects, such as the Bergamo and Montevideo SME Forums; the exhibitions “Latin America: Living in the Contemporary World. Visions of Sustainable Architecture” and “Qhapaq Ñan, the Great Inca Road.” To continue this fruitful collaboration, SG Cavallari highlighted some of the most recent initiatives, including sustainable architecture in the region and the strengthening of the “Habilitas” project by increasing the number of scholarships available to entrepreneurs in the region.

During the meeting, which included respective collaborators and was primarily operational, several initiatives were identified in sectors where both institutions operate, albeit differently, and where there are possibilities for effective synergies. Specifically, CAF can benefit from IILA's experience – an organization with excellent capabilities in attracting top Italian professionals – in training in various sectors where CAF finances credit lines and large infrastructure projects that require specialized technicians and operators. For example, credit support for SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean, which could be paired with training to reduce the risk of business failure; restoration and restructuring in historic centers, a true jewel in the crown of many IILA projects; training in the precision agriculture sector and certification of products such as cocoa and coffee.

"This agreement strengthens CAF's commitment to the productive development of Latin America and the Caribbean and reflects our mission to bring in international actors to achieve a more integrated, competitive, and globally relevant region. All of this will have a direct impact on the well-being of Latin Americans and Caribbeans," said Díaz-Granados.

"Therefore, through this agreement," emphasized SG Cavallari, "IILA and CAF are combining their efforts to promote sustainable and productive development in the region and to contribute to strengthening relations between CAF and Italy."