São Paulo, December 17
th
, 2014
—IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, announced an equity investment of about BRL 128 million (equivalent to $50 million) in Biosev, one of the largest sugar cane processors in Brazil, to help further develop the sugar and ethanol industry in Brazil, and enhance its sustainability standards.
Brazil is the world’s largest sugar cane producer and exporter, and the second largest ethanol producer. The sugar and ethanol is a crucial industry for economic development and job creation in Brazil, employing 1.1 million people and accounting for 11 percent of the country’s exports.
Biosev, listed in the Novo Mercado segment of the Brazilian Stock Exchange (BM&FBOVESPA) and a subsidiary of Louis Dreyfus Commodities Holdings, proposes to raise approximately BRL 128 million of new capital, structured as a private capital increase in which IFC will subscribe up to all the newly issued shares, subject to Biosev’s shareholders’ preemptive rights.
"We are very pleased with IFC's decision to become a shareholder of Biosev, after a rigorous process of information-gathering and analysis of our company and operations. This transaction represents a vote of confidence in our strategy and in our capacity to create value for our shareholders," said Rui Chammas, Biosev CEO.
“Agribusiness is a strategic priority for IFC because of its potential for development and poverty reduction”, said Luiz Daniel de Campos, Principal Investment Officer, Agribusiness Department, IFC Brazil. “We support Biosev’s plan to improve productivity and increase power generation from biomass, which will help enhance sustainability standards in the industry as well as support renewable energy initiatives in Brazil”.
IFC’s agribusiness strategy focuses on strengthening food security and rural incomes by improving productivity in agriculture, promoting inclusive growth, and helping companies adopt good environmental and social practices. In 2013, IFC’s global investment in the agricultural sector supported the employment of 421,500 people, including 124,000 women, and reached 3.1 million farmers worldwide. IFC’s total agribusiness investment in fiscal year 2014 was $ 4 billion.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. Working with private enterprises in about 100 countries, we use our capital, expertise, and influence to help eliminate extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. In FY14, we provided more than $22 billion in financing to improve lives in developing countries and tackle the most urgent challenges of development. For more information, visit
www.ifc.org
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