- The Romero Group: Headed by Mr. Dionisio Romero, the Romero Group (the Group or the Romero Group) is Peru’s largest private business group with the following major holdings: Banco de Crédito, the country’s largest commercial bank; Alicorp (a large agroindustrial company operating in the following segments: wheat flour, pastas and rice; edible oil, margarine, shortenings and laundry soaps; cookies and crackers; animal feed; and other food products and service); Palmas and Industrias del Espino, Peru’s largest palm oil estate (5,000 ha) and crusher; Ransa, the country’s largest integrated logistics company; Romero Trading an export/import trading operation (coffee, cotton, mangoes, soybean meal); Industrias de Aceite in Bolivia representing large soybean plantations (7,000 ha), the country’s second largest soybean crusher, and Bolivia’s largest edible oils operator. The Romero Group also has a few other smaller businesses like auto and truck dealerships. Total direct employment of the group is about 10,000 people. The Romero Group is not an incorporated (holding) company but rather represents the Romero Family interests’ consolidation. Only those Companies in which the Family has a controlling position are included in the Group; hence, the financial sector interests’ are excluded from the Romero Group (refer to “The Romero Family Financial Sector Participation” section below for additional information). To date the Romero Group is composed of the following companies: - Alicorp, - Ransa, - Palmas e Industrias del Espino, - Romero Trading, - Industria Textil Piura, - Universal Textil, - Consorcio Naviero Peruano, - Trabajos Marítimos, and - Terminal Internacional del Sur (the latter three companies are in the shipping sector.) The Romero Family Financial Sector Participation Banco de Crédito del Perú (BCP) was the first bank to be established in Peru (founded in 1889) and is now the largest banking institution in the country. In December 2002, BCP acquired Banco Santander Central Hispano-Perú (BSCH-Perú), whose financials are included in BCP’s consolidated financial statements since such date. BSCH-Perú was merged into BCP on February 28, 2003. BCP is 97% owned by Credicorp, a financial holding company incorporated in Bermuda in 1995 and listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Credicorp is owned by the Romero family (18.7%) and directors and senior officers of the group (3.2%); with the remaining shares held by other investors. The Romero family controls Creditcorp with 25% of the voting rights. Credicorp is now the largest financial services holding company in Peru and is closely identified with its principal subsidiary, BCP. Credicorp is engaged principally in commercial banking (through BCP and Banco Tequendama in Colombia), insurance (through El Pacífico-Peruano Suiza), and investment banking (through Atlantic Security Holding Corporation).

The total project cost is estimated $20 million. The proposed IFC investment is a $10 million A loan for IFC’s own account.

10.0 million (USD)

Product Line	IFC Investment (million USD)
Risk Management
Guarantee
Loan	10.0
Equity

* These investment figures are indicative

Project funding will be directed to investments in Callao, Peru. The investment will be made at Ransa’s 245,000 m² main operating complex located in Callao, close to the Lima’s international airport and the Callao sea port.

- Developmental Impact: The project will improve the logistical delivery chain of mass consumption goods in Peru. It will also improve and expand the existing wholesale infrastructure of Lima with benefits to producers, wholesalers, retailers, and final consumers. By providing modern warehouse capacity in Lima, the project will contribute to reduce losses in perishable goods, increase their quality and shelve life. The project will also serve to stimulate the productivity and growth of other local enterprises that will be served by the wholesale logistical center. - IFC’s Role: IFC’s presence in this project will - allow to expand the operation of the company, - provide long-term funds that are currently in short supply in Peru matching the company’s required investments, and - further improve Peru’s traditional inefficient distribution system thus setting industry benchmarks, enhancing efficiency, lowering costs, and shortening distribution time that will benefit Peruvian companies and end consumers through better services.

This is a Category B project according to IFC’s Procedure for Environmental and Social Review of Projects because a limited number of specific environmental and social impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. The review of this project consisted of appraising technical and environmental social conditions at main Ransa Comercial’s operating companies.
Location of environmental documents in locally affected community
The Environmental Review Summary (ERS) will be available to the public at Ransa Comercial S.A., Av. Argentina 2833, Callao, Peru and in Ransa’s website www.ransa.net.pe