Panama and Honduras were the only two Central American countries to report increases in foreign direct investment in 2018 over the previous year, with year-on-year changes of 36% and 3%, respectively.
The growth of investments directed to Panama, which concentrated 51% of the sub-regional total, explained the increase that was reached in 2018 in Central America (9.4%), since except Panama and Honduras, the Central American countries received less Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) than in 2017, explains the report "Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean 2019", produced by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
During last year, foreign direct investment flows in the country totaled $5.549 million, 21% more than in 2017.
The most recent figures from the General Comptroller's Office of Panama detail that between 2017 and 2018 the flow of Foreign Direct Investment increased by $980 million, going from $4.569 million to $5.549 million.
Figures show that for the years concerned, reinvested earnings grew 4%, from $3.168 million to $3.281 million.
Despite the location and the fiscal benefits that in some cases the countries of the region offer, the lack of education of the population will be the main barrier to continue attracting large investments.
The lack of guarantee of finding the competent and sustainable human capital necessary for the proper operation of companies is an issue that negatively influences the attraction of important investments in Central America.
In 2016 44% of foreign direct investment in the region was concentrated in Panama, and a fourth consecutive year of increases was recorded, with 16%, while Costa Rica received 27% and increased by only 1.1%.
From chapter I of the report "Flows of FDI in Latin America and the Caribbean", by the ECLAC:
FDI into Central America grew by 3.7% in 2016 and totaled 11,833 million dollars.The increase in investments to the two main recipients of the subregion -Panama, which recieved 44%, and Costa Rica, 27%- compensated for the drop in FDI to the other Central American countries.
34 thousand new companies started operations in 2016, recording an 8% increase over 2015.
The sector in which the most Operating Notices were recorded is retail and tourism, which includes restaurants, bars, beauty salons and supermarkets, among others.
Anpanama.com reports that "...According to the statistics, from January 1 to March 22, 8,267 Operating Notices were issued with an invested capital of US $459 million, less than in 2016 when 8,923 were issued generating US $826 million."
It has been announced that public use regulations that will allow construction of hotels, restaurants, transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure within protected areas will be issued midyear.
The regulation is being prepared by the Tourism Authority of Panama, the Panamanian Chamber of Tourism and the Ministry of Environment, as part of the EcoturAP project, announced by the Varela administration in March this year. This initiative aims to exploit protected areas in order to develop sustainable and ecological tourism.
Knowing how to laugh at yourself is a virtue that every entrepreneur in Costa Rica should have, even though it might all end in tears.
This is what Alfonso Carro does in his article on Crhoy.com: laugh at himself, at the same time bringing to light the helplessness felt in light of the deteriorating conditions for investment in an economy such as Costa Rica, which was once number one in Central America.
Determinants of investment, committed figures, and key economic sectors in the region in which Colombian companies have ventured into in recent years.
From the summary of the document by Cepal: "Colombian Investment in Central America":
The main objective of paper on Colombian investment in Central America is to analyze the business strategies that have led to increased Colombian foreign direct investment (FDI) in Central American countries.
This year multinational plans to invest that amount in remodeling, maintenance, new units, electronic commerce, and logistics and distribution.
From a statement issued by Walmart of Mexico and Central America:
Mexico City, 10 March 2016.- In 2016 Walmart de Mexico and Central America will invest an estimated $14.700 million pesos ($866 million), 17% higher than the total amount invested last year.
The Costa Rican company increased its sales by 2% compared to 2014, thanks to the dynamism of flavored alcoholic beverages in the US, foods in Guatemala, and beers, wines and spirits in Costa Rica.
Flavored alcoholic beverages, especially in America, and increased profitability in beer, wine and distilled drinks in Costa Rica and food in Guatemala, boosted Costa Rica Florida Ice & Farm's operating income in 2015, reaching $179 million, 13% more than in the previous fiscal year.
A sustained growth of private investment will not be enough to offset the decline in the amount of investment in public infrastructure over the next four years.
On top of the projection of less public infrastructure is an expectation of poor tax collection for the period in question, according to analysis by the firm Indesa. Company projections indicate that "...
The benefits of this newly adopted Law can be enjoyed by national airlines who train their pilots in training centers in Panama.
From a statement issued by the National Assembly of Panama:
The bill amends 89 articles of the Law of 2010 on measures to promote commercial aviation was approved on its third reading by the plenary of the National Assembly.
Port of Singapore Authority plans to invest $400 million in its container terminal in Rodman, to increase capacity by two million TEU's and accommodate vessels carrying up to 24 rows of containers.
The construction of two additional docks and installation of eight gantry cranes is expected to allow for "... accommodating vessels with up to 24 rows of containers." With this project the aim is to expand port capacity at the Pacific entrance to the Canal.
VECA Airlines has announced the start of flights from El Salvador to Guatemala and Costa Rica, with capital contributed by Empresas Alba.
$60 million is the amount that Empresas Alba has contributed as seed money to VECA Airlines, and it is expected that this will cover the operation of the company until December this year. It is expected that next year the investment will be lower, as the airline is aiming for financial self-sustainability by 2016.
An announcement has been made for the construction of a 66 thousand square meter mall containing 190 stores, called Alta Plaza in Panama City.
The Alta Plaza shopping center will be located at the intersection of the Northern Corridor and Via Centenario, and is expected to open its doors in September 2015.
Gabriel Diez P, a member of the board of Alta Plaza, told Anpanama.com that "...