After more than 40 days of protests and looting, Honduran businessmen report that about 50 companies have been affected, and several stores have already been closed.
Preliminary reports from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tegucigalpa (CCIT), establish that among the most affected businesses are supermarket chains, appliance stores, fast food restaurants and microenterprises dedicated to the marketing of clothing and footwear.
The business sector is concerned about the way in which the demonstrations have developed in recent days, generating "an unsustainable cost to the Honduran economy.”
After the Honduran government approved decrees PCM-026-2018 and PCM-027-2019, the country's doctors and teachers began demonstrations with the aim of repealing them, because they argue that they will be able to fire government employees and privatize public services.
In the view of the private sector it does not make sense to pass a budget that contains vices of the past which encourage theft of public resources, nonexistent jobs, inefficient spending and corruption.
From a statement issued by the Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (CACIF):
The ENADE 2015 survey reveals that 90% of Salvadoran entrepreneurs believe that the country has regressed in its competitiveness compared to other countries in the region.
In the view of the private sector, among the factors that have caused a loss of competitiveness for El Salvador are the high levels of crime, political and economic instability, constant changes to laws, lack of competitive infrastructure, and increased taxes.
Following revelations about corruption at the highest level and the processing of those involved, it is unlikely that an official will request bribe money from a businessman.
EDITORIAL
Some analysts are concerned about the effect of allegations of corruption in Guatemala, noting that it will increase mistrust and the instability in economic activity, which could even have a negative effect because of the greater weight of the Guatemalan economy in Central America, over other countries in the region.
The private sector has identified several government actions that are undermining the foundations and underpinnings of the Panamanian economic model which is based primarily on local and foreign private investment.
From a statement issued by the National Council of Private Enterprise (Conep):
The parsimony of the Varela administration in decision making and implementation of relevant projects is affecting the competitiveness of the Panamanian economy.
Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce of Panama argue that "... We've come from a state where everything was fast to one that is slow, leading to a conflict not only in terms of perception, but also the numbers that are reflected, "that is to say, the results.
Growing institutional weakness in several countries of the isthmus brings to the forefront the responsibility of the business sector to keep the economy of this region moving forward.
EDITORIAL
Currently, the governments of several Central American countries are showing signs of weaknesses which - to different degrees- point to a sharp decline in institutional quality.
Businessmen in Costa Rica recognize the progress made by the government, but are calling for an acceleration in the process to eliminate the duplication of paperwork which still prevails in several institutions.
Currently we have a clear agenda to deal with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry regarding outstanding issues and the reduction in the number of requirements for starting a business and those for established businesses.
The union of industrialists states that the government's five-year plan lacks any definition of concrete actions which would allow it to bring about anticipated results.
From a statement issued by the Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI):
In the view of industrialists it is a document which contains some important evaluations and defines priorities for government issues, but it lacks a concrete action plan to provide solutions to the serious problems we Salvadorans are facing, especially with regard to violence, stagnation of the economy and lack of jobs.
According to entrepreneurs the government's proposal for the development of the manufacturing sector does not include a budget nor does it specify how results will be measured.
The Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI) highlighted a number of deficiencies observed in the National Policy for Development, Diversion and Productive Transformation of El Salvador.
The government of Costa Rica and the main business union have agreed to create a formal setting to discuss topics related to Competitiveness, Innovation and Talent.
From a statement issued by the Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Business Sector (UCCAEP):
The president, Luis Guillermo Solis has signed a decree officially forming the President's Council on Competitiveness, Innovation and Talent.
The new government's tendency to increase social spending and its regulation of commercial private activities is concerning the business sector.
The economic direction that Panama has taken since Juan Carlos Varela took office in July 2014 has failed to convince the private productive sector, which is suspicious of increased government spending through the implementation of subsidies, many of which do not have a reasonable enough basis and are not entirely necessary, according to some entrepreneurs.
Starting October the private sector and government will be working together to implement measures to improve the competitiveness and productivity of the economy.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Business Sector (UCCAEP):
The Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Enterprises (UCCAEP) and the Executive have agreed to the formation of a council to facilitate the coordination and monitoring of public policies on competitiveness, innovation and employment.
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