Trade Finance in Central America and Mexico

Trade finance is routinely supplied to exporters and importers by banks and other financial intermediaries, mitigating the financial and payment risks involved in cross-border trade. However, significant shortages exist in many developing economies. To better understand the trade finance ecosystem in these economies, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the WTO have engaged in a series of surveys aimed at examining the specific obstacles faced by lenders and borrowers in low-income regions. This latest study focuses on three developing economies in Latin America — Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.

The study examines the characteristics of trade finance in these fast-growing markets, focusing on the share of trade supported by trade finance, its costs and the potential benefits if trade finance obstacles were reduced. It offers insights into which solutions could be promoted across different levels of development for trade finance to be a driver of greater competitiveness for a wide range of firms.

The publication is a follow-up to “Trade Finance in West Africa” and “Trade Finance in the Mekong Region”.

Co-published with the IFC in 2025.