Response from IFC to Defending Rights & Realising Just Economies report
... IFC provided financing in 2022 for Indorama Agro LLC (IAL) for the development of cotton farm clusters... IFC’s investment objective was to catalyze ongoing economic and social transformation of Uzbekistan in the cotton sector, to support a transiton to mechanized harvesting to increase efficiencies and reduce risks of forced labor...
... IFC specifically requested additional training and more detailed procedures to operationalize IAL’s anti-retaliaƟon policy. IFC communicated concerns related to retaliation to the highest levels of government.
... We also recognize the limitations related to freedom of association for unions and other civil society organizations. Over the past two years, a joint IFC/ILO Better Work team regularly and actively engaged with stakeholders in Uzbekistan.
... When IAL informed IFC of its intent to proceed with loan repayment, IFC provided E&S recommendations to IAL and emphasized the importance of closing out E&S issues... IFC is no longer monitoring IAL’s E&S implementation as we do not have a contractual relationship regarding the Indorama Cotton project.