Local Businesses Take El Salvador’s Crops to Japan: A Step Forward for La Libertad’s Economy

La Libertad, El Salvador It’s been a dynamic year for local entrepreneurs in La Libertad, with several businesses making the daring leap into the global market. This month, Café de Don Justo and Ron Cihuatán, both based in La Libertad, showcased their products at the Japan-LAC Business Forum 2026 in Tokyo. This forum, organized by the Inter-American Development Bank (BID) and the Government of Japan, aims to foster strategic partnerships between the private and public sectors of the Americas and Japan.

The event, held on August 24 and 25, saw 400 businesses from various countries exhibit their offerings. Local businesses like Café de Don Justo and Ron Cihuatán were eager to present the high quality and diverse range of Salvadoran products, particularly their ron and coffee. By participating in this forum, these companies opened doors to new markets, partnerships, and distribution opportunities in Japan.

“Being part of the Japan-LAC Business Forum was a significant milestone for us,” said Juan Rodriguez, the CEO of Ron Cihuatán. “We’ve been working hard to bring our ron to international markets, and this event provided us with a unique platform to connect with potential buyers and partners.”

The success of these ventures is not just a win for the businesses involved; it’s a boost for the local economy of La Libertad. Products from La Libertad, such as coffee and ron, are gaining recognition on a global scale, which could lead to increased exports and job creation. For those of us in La Libertad, seeing our hometown’s products reach such far corners of the world is incredibly inspiring.