El Salvador approves $84 million IDB loan to modernize borders and digitize customs

The Salvadoran Legislative Assembly voted 57‑31 to amend an existing $84 million loan from the Inter‑American Development Bank. The amendment expands the financing to upgrade physical border infrastructure, modernize customs facilities such as the El Poy checkpoint, and build a digital trade platform to streamline export‑import procedures. The revised program, renamed “Trade and Investment Facilitation Programme in El Salvador,” will also strengthen the Integrated Control Center in San Bartolo and equip customs agencies with new IT hardware.

The government says the project aims to boost the country’s competitiveness, reduce logistics times, and improve trade‑related security across its land borders.