GFI was founded in 1983 by Dr. Rodrigo Salas, who maintains a majority of ownership.  GFI remains a private, Costa Rican family-owned group.

 The proposed IFC investment consists of a US$20 million convertible C loan to support (i) capex related to a new centralized, semi-automated logistics center, (ii) acquisition of new licenses for commercialization around the Central American and Caribbean region, and (iii) general corporate proceeds including working capital and reprofiling of existing debt.

Investment will be made at the combined corporate headquarters and centralized distribution center at the Verbena Logistics Park in San Jose, Costa Rica.

 This is a Category B project according to IFC's Policy on Environment and Social Sustainability (2012). Based on the information reviewed by IFC, the proposed project will have limited adverse E&S impacts that are few, site specific, largely reversible, and readily addressed through existing mitigation measures and good international industry practices (GIIP). The main E&S issues and risks associated with the project are: (i) the Company’s E&S management system and capacity to assess and manage risks of their operations; (ii) labor and working conditions; (iii) occupational health and safety risks; (iv) transport management and impacts on community safety and security; (v) life and fire safety and emergency preparedness and response; and (vi) company stakeholder engagement and community grievance mechanism.