IDB Invest Supports the Expansion of Grupo RAS’s Ruta 5 Industrial Park in Uruguay

WASHINGTON - IDB Invest announced financing of up to $30 million for Grupo RAS to support the expansion of the Ruta 5 Industrial Park (PIR5) and other investments in logistics infrastructure, as well as to strengthen freight rail transport in Uruguay.

The operation will support the launch of railway fleet operations connecting PIR5 with the Port of Montevideo and industrial towns and zones across the country through the Central Railway.

The financing will expand PIR5's operational and storage capacity, improve transport between industrial areas and the country's main port, reduce costs, increase logistics reliability, and strengthen multimodal integration in Uruguay.

The planned investments will boost local and international trade, generate employment, and help consolidate Uruguay as a strategic regional hub. They will also enhance the resilience and efficiency of the country's logistics and transportation system. The plan is aligned with the IDB's "South Connection" program, which aims to promote connectivity, facilitate trade, and support sustainable growth in South America.

The operation includes the mobilization of $15 million from the Trust Fund for the Development of Latin America and the Caribbean (TADAC) of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), helping to expand and diversify financing sources under competitive terms.

In addition to financing, IDB Invest will support Grupo RAS in strengthening its corporate governance practices and adopting operational standards aligned with international best practices. This support will help consolidate the group's institutional capacity and enhance the long-term impact of the investment.

About IDB Invest

IDB Invest, a member of the IDB Group, is a multilateral development bank committed to promoting the economic development of its member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through the private sector. IDB Invest finances sustainable companies and projects to achieve financial results and maximize economic, social, and environmental development in the region. With a portfolio of $22 billion in assets under management and more than 440 clients in 25 countries, IDB Invest provides innovative financial solutions and advisory services that meet the needs of its clients in a variety of industries. Visit our website: www.idbinvest.org/en.

About Grupo RAS

Grupo RAS is a Uruguayan multinational logistics company with more than 30 years of experience, operating through subsidiaries in 12 countries across Latin America, North America, and Europe, and with a network of more than 45 offices. The group develops and operates integrated transport, infrastructure, and service solutions for regional and international trade.

About JICA

The Trust Fund for the Development of Latin America and the Caribbean (TADAC) is a fund administered by the IDB Group, established in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to promote sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean. With an initial contribution of $1 billion, the fund seeks to catalyze private investment through the co-financing of strategic projects. TADAC is JICA's first fund with the IDB Group dedicated to the private sector and the largest in the region, strengthening IDB Invest's "originate-to-share" business model.