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The Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) and the German state of North Rhine Westfalia are the latest international donors to offer assistance for wind and other renewable power projects in Latin America. JBIC recently signed an agreement with the Mexican government to exchange information and advice about Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects under the Kyoto Protocol. Under the CDM, developed countries can collect carbon emission credits (CERs) to help them meet their Kyoto emission reduction commitments by investing in clean energy projects in developing countries. The agreement between JBIC and Mexico could lead to the bank supporting renewables projects as well as Japanese firms in acquiring CERs. "It's a general agreement that celebrates the spirit of co-operation between JBIC and Mexico," says Kentaro Takasu, the Mexico and Central America representative for the Japanese bank. This is the first agreement the government has signed with a foreign entity for co-operation on the Kyoto mechanisms and the first time JBIC has signed such an agreement. As well as wind, JBIC is also looking at geothermal, biogas and landfill projects throughout Mexico that would qualify for CDM status. Meanwhile, the deputy energy minister of North Rhine Westfalia, Jorg Hennerkes, travelled to Chile recently and promised assistance with renewable projects, according to local press. This is an "opportune" moment for Germany to help Chile because of the region's energy crisis and gas supply rationing from Argentina, Hennerkes said. Germany can use its experience with renewable energies to offer assistance to Chile, he added.