ABSTRACT
It would be nice to say that Latin American Agribusiness Development Corporation (LAAD) set out to execute a well-prepared business strategy with a detailed market study, but the reality was quite different. LAAD financed most of the Thomas’ expansion into carnations in Cartago, leatherleaf fern on the Poas volcano, a macadamia farm and processing plant in Siquirres and a fern farm in Panama. Mr. Melo remains today one of LAAD’s most important clients in that country. LAAD financed all of the projects located in Central America. Many slaughterhouses were built throughout Central America by various investor groups, eight of which were financed by LAAD. Total assets had reached the $10 million mark by 1975 and LAAD was able to show a modest profit for the third consecutive year in a row with a growing return on its net worth.
