Bladex Leads Syndicated Loan to Support Cemento Panam's Expansion in Panama

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Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (Bladex)

Oct 07, 2025, 07:00 ET

PANAMA CITY, Oct. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bladex (NYSE: BLX) announced the successful closing of a syndicated loan totaling US$206 million in favor of Cemento Panam to finance the acquisition of CEMEX's operations in Panama.

The seven (7)-year term loan, structured and initially fully underwritten by Bladex (as "Sole Lead Arranger & Bookrunner"), included the participation of BAC Panama and Global Bank. Bladex also acts as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for the syndicated loan.

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From left to right: Raúl Arosemena, Vice President of Corporate Banking, BAC Credomatic; Jorge Vallarino, General Manager, Global Bank; Samuel Canineu, Chief Commercial Officer, Bladex; Manuel Estrella, Founding President, Grupo Estrella; Giuseppe Maniscalco, President of the Industrial Division, Grupo Estrella; and Manuel Genao, President of the Projects Division, Grupo Estrella.
From left to right: Raúl Arosemena, Vice President of Corporate Banking, BAC Credomatic; Jorge Vallarino, General Manager, Global Bank; Samuel Canineu, Chief Commercial Officer, Bladex; Manuel Estrella, Founding President, Grupo Estrella; Giuseppe Maniscalco, President of the Industrial Division, Grupo Estrella; and Manuel Genao, President of the Projects Division, Grupo Estrella.

Cemento Panam is a subsidiary of Grupo Estrella, a Dominican conglomerate with more than four decades of experience that has consolidated its presence in the construction sector across several countries in the region. With this acquisition, Cemento Panam strengthens its international expansion strategy from the Dominican Republic and trusts Panama as a strategic destination to develop the cement business and seize new growth opportunities.

"This financing represents a strategic opportunity not only for our client, but also for Panama, where we trust that this transaction will help boost the construction sector and generate positive impacts on the local economy. Bladex is proud to support Cemento Panam and Grupo Estrella in this process, reaffirming our ability to structure tailor-made transactions for our clients," said Samuel Canineu, Chief Commercial Officer of Bladex.

For his part, Eng. Manuel Estrella, President of Grupo Estrella, stated: "We are very pleased to have Bladex's support in this new stage of expansion of our cement business. Panama is a market with great potential, and this acquisition allows us to strengthen our commitment to the development of the cement industry and to support the country in the major infrastructure projects that are to come."

This syndicated loan highlights Bladex's structuring and underwriting capabilities, reinforcing its mission of promoting economic development in Latin America through financing for strategic regional groups seeking to grow beyond their borders, contributing to the integration and competitiveness of the region.

About Bladex

Bladex is a multinational bank established in 1979 by the central banks of Latin America and the Caribbean to promote trade finance and economic integration in the region. Headquartered in Panama, with representative offices in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, and a representative agency in the United States, the Bank provides financial solutions to institutions and corporations throughout the region. Bladex has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BLX) since 1992 and on the Mexican Stock Exchange for over a decade. Its shareholder base includes central banks, government entities, and banks from twenty-three Latin American countries, as well as institutional and private investors. www.bladex.com          

Contact: 
Andrea Cuadrado
SVP of Loan Structuring & Syndications, 
Email: [email protected]  
www.bladex.com
@bladexlatam

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SOURCE Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (Bladex)