El Salvador has taken another significant step in strengthening its trade and investment footprint in Asia following a successful participation in the Japan–LAC Business Forum 2026, held on August 24–25 in Tokyo. Organized by Japan’s Ministry of Finance and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the high-level summit convened key international business leaders, investors, and policymakers—including IDB President Ilan Goldfajn—to drive economic collaboration across critical sectors such as trade, innovation, and sustainable infrastructure.

To capitalize on the gathering, the Embassy of El Salvador in Japan facilitated a trade delegation featuring prominent national companies: Ron Cihuatán, Café Don Justo Inversiones, and Torrefactora Centroamericana. These Salvadoran exporters conducted nearly 25 targeted B2B meetings with prospective Japanese buyers, importers, and distributors. Presenting top-tier offerings of premium rum and specialty coffee, the delegation established new commercial leads that will now be advanced through product sampling, quote submissions, and follow-up negotiations.

In tandem with commercial efforts, INVEST El Salvador held more than 10 strategic investment meetings with institutional and corporate stakeholders. The agency actively highlighted the country’s competitive advantages during the forum’s Country Investment Pitch Session, positioning El Salvador as an ideal nearshoring and expansion destination for Asian capital in Latin America.

Throughout the event, Salvadoran delegates engaged in eight high-level plenary sessions focusing on key global issues, including resilient infrastructure, critical minerals, risk capital, and sustainable food systems. The diplomatic and trade push reinforces El Salvador’s ongoing strategy to diversify its export destinations and establish itself as a reliable, competitive economic partner in the global market.