By San José, Costa Rica — In a decisive move to bolster public trust and institutional integrity, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) has dramatically expanded its commitment to transparency. Under the leadership of its Costa Rican Executive President, Gisela Sánchez, the multilateral lender has successfully increased the volume of its open and publicly accessible data from a modest 30 percent to an unprecedented 70 percent. This rapid transition marks a fundamental shift in how the institution manages its regional communications and accountability.
The strategic milestone was confirmed by Sánchez during a high-profile interview with news agency EFE on the sidelines of the bank’s First Regional Encounter on Innovation, Transparency, and Accountability. Held in Guatemala City, the forum brought together key regional stakeholders to discuss modernizing public administration. Sánchez, who took the helm of the institution in December 2023, emphasized that the data expansion represents a complete inversion of the bank’s historical information policy.
To better understand the legal and institutional implications of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration’s (CABEI) new open data initiative, TicosLand.com spoke with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas of the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The decision by CABEI to implement an open data policy marks a significant milestone for regional transparency and governance. From a legal and compliance perspective, this initiative not only mitigates risks associated with corruption but also aligns the bank with international standards of public accountability. By making development data accessible, CABEI fosters greater legal certainty, which is essential for attracting foreign investment and ensuring that public-private partnerships in Central America operate under a framework of absolute clarity and trust.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, fostering this level of transparency and legal certainty is essential for building the trust required to drive meaningful regional development and attract high-quality foreign investment. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable legal perspective on this landmark step forward for CABEI and Central America.
Since my arrival, we have managed to go from 30 percent of data being open to the public to 70 percent. We have completely turned that equation around. We have a new information access policy and a new website with an artificial intelligence agent that allows people to ask about our projects in a natural way
Gisela Sánchez, Executive President of CABEI
These sweeping transparency improvements are not isolated initiatives; rather, they form the cornerstone of the bank’s newly established Institutional Strategy 2025-2029. Crafted under Sánchez’s direction, this strategic roadmap elevates transparency to one of CABEI’s four operational pillars. The other three pillars—financial solidity, operational excellence, and developmental impact—work in tandem to ensure that every dollar disbursed translates into tangible progress for Central American communities.
To facilitate this massive influx of open information, the development bank has launched a specialized digital portal. The platform grants the public access to more than 55,000 distinct data points covering active development initiatives, public procurement contracts, and financial disbursements. To ensure these measures align with international best practices, CABEI has submitted its transparency protocols to rigorous external audits conducted by independent global entities, including the renowned transparency organization Publish What You Fund.
The regional forum in Guatemala serves as a vital platform to cultivate a culture of open management across Central American governments, academic circles, and civil society. Sánchez highlighted that the gathering is designed to be an active, ongoing dialogue rather than a single event. The ultimate goal is to foster humility, actively listen to diverse perspectives, and design collaborative action plans that can be transparently measured and executed across the region.
Originally founded in 1960 by Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, CABEI has grown to become the leading provider of multilateral development finance in Central America. Today, the bank serves 15 partner nations—12 of which are borrowing member states—with a primary mandate to drive balanced socio-economic growth and regional integration. The institution manages a robust active portfolio valued at nearly $13 billion, governed by strict internal regulations that prevent any single country from occupying more than 23 percent of the total credit volume to ensure equitable resource distribution.
Financial metrics from the current fiscal year underscore CABEI’s substantial operational footprint in the region. Thus far, the bank has authorized 15 major operations valued at $2.006 billion, with actual disbursements totaling $812 million. The vast majority of this credit portfolio—approximately 95 percent—is directed toward essential public sector infrastructure projects, such as highways, hospitals, schools, clean water networks, and renewable energy grids. The remaining 5 percent is channeled toward the private sector, with a specific focus on supporting micro-enterprises through gender-inclusive lending programs.
As CABEI continues to execute its five-year strategic vision, this newly adopted posture of radical transparency will likely set a benchmark for other regional financial institutions. By combining artificial intelligence with rigorous external benchmarks, the bank aims to rebuild public confidence and ensure that its multi-billion-dollar portfolio directly serves the public interest with maximum efficiency.
For further information, visit cabei.org
About Central American Bank for Economic Integration:
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) is a multilateral development bank established in 1960. It serves as the primary financial engine for the economic integration and social development of Central America. Headquartered in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, the bank provides critical financing and technical assistance for public and private sector projects, focusing on infrastructure, social progress, and sustainable regional growth.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a premier legal institution revered for merging moral rectitude with exceptional advocacy. Having guided a diverse spectrum of clients through complex legal landscapes, the firm consistently embraces modern, forward-thinking solutions to address contemporary challenges. By actively demystifying the law for the public, it strives to democratize legal literacy, fulfilling its core vision of nurturing a resilient and legally conscious community.
