The regional trade fair for franchises 'Expofranquicias 2016', will be held on 12th and 13th of May in Costa Rica.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce of Costa Rica:
Costa Rica, March 14, 2016. More than 100 exhibiting companies and 4,000 investors from the Caribbean, North, Central and South America and Europe, will participate in the seventh version of the only regional trade fair for franchises: Expofranquicia, which will be held on 12th and 13th of May in Costa Rica with the aim of promoting the opening of new franchises in the region.
In Costa Rica the virtually monopolistic Industrial Sugar Cane Agricultural League is supporting a recent decree that protects blocking imports of sugar by forcing sugar fortification to be done it its place of origin.
EDITORIAL
A statement issued by the Industrial Sugarcane Agricultural League (LAICA) abounds in views on the relevance of sugar fortification -which nobody questions-, and on the supposed benefits that the company brings to the Costa Rican consumers, including " stable prices. "
In September 2015 exports of goods and services recorded an increase of 5% compared to the same period in 2014, led by non-traditional exports.
From a report by the Reserve Bank of El Salvador:
The export sector has seen an increase in the monthly trends of sales abroad, with the end of September 2015 registering a growth of 5% per year with a total revenue of US $4224.5 million, according to a Central Bank report.
The Smuggling law approved on its first reading includes penalties of 3-10 years in prison for those who illegally sell goods infringing animal, human or plant health.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Business Sector (UCCAEP):
UCCAEP celebrates approval of project to improve anti-smuggling
Business sector considers it a step towards the promotion of formality.
The index measuring confidence in the commercial sector in the second quarter of the year recorded the lowest level registered since it began in 2008, during the global financial crisis.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce in Costa Rica:
August 4, 2015.
The Business Confidence Index Sector (ICSC), collated by the Chamber of Commerce of Costa Rica, for the second quarter of 2015 stood at 79 points, which is the lowest value recorded since this quarterly measurement was first made (2008).
It has been announced that in September an electronic platform will be launched for marketing and auctioning livestock and agricultural products.
The system will be operated by the Agricultural Exchange of Nicaragua (Bagsa) and includes five components: a negotiation module, another one for price information, a mobile application, a record of transactions and an auction module.
The Superintendency of Competition has concluded that there is no evidence of anticompetitive practices in pricing by traders.
From a statement issued by the Superintendency of Competition:
After thoroughly analyzing information and documentation on six bean traders, the Superintendency of Competition did not find enough evidence to lead to initiate an infringement procedure for anti-competitive practices concerning price fixing, limitation of quantities or market division, typified in points a, b and d of Article 25 of the Competition Act.
The Hasgar Group has announced the construction of a commercial center measuring 10 thousand square meters and containing 50 stores, in the municipality of Santa Tecla.
The building will have 257 parking spaces. The opening of the shopping complex is planned for November.
Edgar Hasbún president of Hasgar Group told Elsalvador.com "... 'Hasgar's investment alone in the construction of the building, is about 15 to 16 million, tenants will make their own investments to adapt the spaces to their own tastes.'"
The private sector has signalled an increase in seizures of drugs, food, smuggled cigarettes, and consumer products from illegal sources.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP):
The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) has expressed concern over the increase in illegal trade including smuggling, counterfeiting and piracy.
Insurance against damage to third parties and a single registration for each unit are part of the announced amendments to the regulations on heavy transport in the country.
In 15 days reforms could take effect which include fining drivers instead of the companies that own the vehicles. In addition, employers must provide drivers documentation in order to hold them accountable in case of possible accidents.
With an investment of $25 million, the company Bemix is venturing into the areas of packaging and distribution of drinks, mainly in the segment of teas, soft drinks, juices and bottled water.
The new plant belonging to the company Bebidas Mixtas de Centroamérica (Bemix), member of Grupo Mix, will begin operations on May 14 with six brands which have already been registered.
In the last ten years the consumption of natural nectars and juice drinks went up 60%, though carbonated soft drinks still dominate the market.
Reports indicate that the distribution of beverages in 2014 increased by 43% over the past 10 years, with soft drinks having grown the most, reporting an increase of 99% and soft drinks 35% in the period in question, according to the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT).
Costa Rican importers of cement from China have received the technical approval for its sale, and announced that it will be sold just over $10 per 50 kilo bag.
The Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) authorized the sale in Costa Rica of Chinese cement of the brand Sinocem arguing that "... there is no objection to the use of that product and it does not compromise the safety of persons."
Of the 4,500 square meters of new commercial area in the Juan Santamaría, 850 square meters are available, which are expected to be tendered in June and July.
Café Britt is the first company that has moved into to this new area and left its old 299 m² premises available, and a competition is already underway to awarded them to another company. In addition to those premises, the only other space left is 550 m², in which the Costa Rica company Aeris, administrator of the terminal, will incorporate shops dedicated to selling clothes and accessories.