The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$175 million loan to widen the El Rancho–Teculután section of northern Highway CA-9 in Guatemala. 

The project involves widening approximately 35 km of the El Rancho–Teculután section of northern Highway CA-9 in Guatemala. Highway CA-9 provides access to the borders with El Salvador and Honduras and also connects the country’s industrial areas with the ports of Santo Tomas de Castilla and Puerto Barrios in the Atlantic, linking Guatemala to U.S. and European markets. The project will also increase the competitiveness of value chains, create new jobs and boost Guatemala's exports. The project will contribute to poverty reduction through increased productivity and integration in the region.

The total cost of the project is US$175 million: US$75 million will be financed by the IDB and US$100 million will be financed by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).