In a context of health emergencies and falling oil prices, Nicaraguan businessmen are asking the government to take advantage of market conditions and reduce electricity rates by 15 to 20%.
For the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (Cosep), the advantage of buying and storing oil derivatives for electricity generation as soon as possible should be evaluated, and thus taking advantage of the historical lows in the prices of these products.
Honduran businessmen agree that the constant increases in electricity rates are making the country less attractive for investment.
The Honduran Electricity Regulatory Commission (Cree) announced a few days ago that by the beginning of 2020 there will be an average increase of 2.9% in the price of electricity.
The high energy tariffs paid in Costa Rica compared to other countries in the region and the effects of the monopoly that exists in electricity generation are threats to the local economy and future investments.
In the country, the business sector expects an increase in operating costs in the coming months, as a result of the expected increase in the price of electricity in the short term.
In Nicaragua, companies involved in the production of bread are facing several difficulties because of the increase in their operating costs, which derive from the rise in taxes and electricity tariffs.
The beginning of the year has been difficult for most of the productive sectors of the country and bakers are not exempt from this reality. On February 27, 2019, the amendment to the Tax Agreement Law was approved, which consisted of raising from 1% to 2% the income tax for medium sized companies with higher incomes. Another of the measures contemplated by the reform was to raise the income tax of large taxpayers from 1% to 3%.
Due to a group of demonstrators who have taken over the Chixoy hydroelectric facility, there is a risk that in Guatemala electricity service rates will increase by up to 10%.
Since September 25th, a group of people claiming the payment of a complementary compensation has taken over the hydroelectric plant Chixoy, one of the most important in the country, and threatens to set it on fire.
The high cost of energy and the fiscal deficit are two of the problems that worry companies in Costa Rica, who also face an uncertain political scenario, a few weeks to go before a second round of elections.
With a month and a half to go before a second round of elections, Costa Rican businessmen highlighted a difficult year in terms of job creation and attraction of new investments.
The company founded on Costa Rican capital, Jack's Foods, has announced that within five years it will transfer 50% of its production activities to Nicaragua, El Salvador and the United States.
From a statement issued by Alimentos Jack's:
Alimentos Jack's, a company founded on 100% Costa Rican capital, has decided to continue its expansion outside of Costa Rica and is planning to transfer 50% of its operations within five years, to the United States, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Electricity distribution companies will receive about $300 million less in state subsidies leading them to foresee an increase in rates which will affect the productive sector.
The State will compensate only the Chiriqui electricity distribution company (Edechi) with $27 million and the electricity distribution company Metro-West (Edemet) with $38 million, ceasing to give subsidies to the company Ensa.
Business confidence is still falling with complaints being made about the absence of an agenda which aims to improve the business climate in the country.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Business Sector (UCCAEP):
Business confidence falls at the end of the year
• 6 out of 10 companies have faced significant increases in production costs over the last year.
Investments by Costa Rican companies in their neighboring country went from $2.43 million in 2010 to $67.7 million in 2013.
Installation of production facilities, maquila subcontracts or transfer of part of the production process are part of the investment models that Costa Rican businessmen are utilizing in order to minimize the negative effects of the high production costs prevalent in Costa Rica and to stay competitive at the level international.
A company producing polyethylene products has closed part of its operation in Costa Rica due to the high cost of production in the country and transferred its factory which is now operating in Nicaragua.
The high costs that firms have to incur to produce competitively in the country is the main reason behind the partial closure of the Yanber company's operations in Costa Rica and its transfer to Nicaragua.
The price paid by Costa Rican industry for electricity consumption is 41% higher than in the European Union and 259% higher than in the U.S.
Industry has expressed its anger against the rising cost of electricity as it is making production more expensive and exports are becoming less competitive against rival markets where energy is cheaper.
Industrialists are starting to look at transferring their plants to countries where energy costs are lower.
The high cost of electricity bills has caused some industries to look at moving their operations out of the country in the search for savings and competitiveness.
Corporación Yanber, a manufacturer of packaging for trade, industry and agriculture, decided to go to Nicaragua eight months ago, and other companies are evaluating the possibility of moving their operations to countries where the energy sector impinges less on the cost of their products.
Overwhelmed by the growing impact of energy costs, large electricity consumers in Costa Rica are asking for a reduction in their electricity rates of between 10.7% and 38.6%.
From a press release by the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep):
The Costa Rican Association of Large Energy Consumers (ACOGRACE) has requested a rebate for electricity rates in the business sector.