Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega acted as counsel to QBE del Istmo Compañía de Reaseguros, Inc., a leading Latin American reinsurance company, in connection with an investment by the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC) of up to US$8 million in preferred stock, to support the insurance sector in Latin America.

IIC's investment will support the expansion and consolidation of QBE del Istmo in the region, not only by enabling it to access new sectors as are the insurance and reinsurance industry, but also the mass market insurance area geared toward lower-income sectors in the region. For QBE del Istmo, the investment is a good alternative for meeting the capital needs arising from its expansion plan into Microinsurance and Health Insurance.

The IIC investment is part of a US$30 million financing package to be provided jointly by the IIC and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

About QBE del Istmo
QBE del Istmo is a full-line reinsurer with over 30 years in the Latin American market. Headquartered in Panama, the Company has reinsurance, insurance, brokerage, and dental service operations throughout Latin America.

About the IIC
Founded in 1985, the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC) is a member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) group that helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Latin America and the Caribbean gain access to advisory and  financial services (in the form of equity investments, loans, guarantees, and other instruments).  Since its inception in 1985, as of April 9, 2010, IIC has distributed USD 5.1 billion to 1.1 million SMEs. Additionally, IIC has provided technical assistance and consulting to about 300 SMEs. The IIC's mission is to promote the economic development of its regional member countries by encouraging the establishment, expansion, and modernization of private enterprises, particularly those that are small and medium in size.