Company executives visited El Salvador to discuss malls and evaluate the possibility of investing in new stores.
The Spanish chain reported that its sales in Latin America have reported growth rates above 10%, which is encouraging them to explore the possibility of expanding in that market.
Isak Halfon, the Executive Vice President of International Expansion for the company, , said on a visit to El Salvador that "Latin America has got out of the financial crisis and is now growing," while José Gomez, the vice president of International Business Development, said "if things continue as they it will be a very prosperous decade for Latin America. "
From Guatemala, the firm Inbev, distributor of the Budweiser brand, is seeking to expand in the region.
The multinational, which has a portfolio of over 200 brands and operations in 80 countries, aims to promote Budweiser beer massively in Guatemala, where it already holds 20% of the market share and then to expand soon to El Salvador and Nicaragua.
The main shareholder of the new bank, which will open operations on 13 July, is the Panamanian holding company Bicapital Corporation.
As outlined in an article in Elperiodico.com.gt, Banco Industrial El Salvador will absorb the existing operations of the representative office of Banco Industrial Guatemala, which is already operating business loan services in El Salvador.
The air transport company has increased by 50% its cargo flight capacity to 19 weekly flights.
Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama are three of the countries which receive large capacity UPS flights from Miami. UPS has decided to expand in response to increased demand experienced in Latin America.
The firm will use its Boeing 757 cargo plane, which will be replaced by a new B-767 aircraft, which is larger and hence has more capacity.
The Mexican technology company has invest about $30 million to build its first Technology Campus and Computer Centers in Panama.
A press release states:
“KIO Networks said their aim is to strengthen strategy and expand its outsourcing services into new locations, as well as making a commitment to increase competitiveness and efficiency for its customers.
The Honduran banking group has opened its first regional agency in the Panamanian banking center.
Camilo Atala, Grupo Ficohsa’s chairman, said the headquarters in Panama will serve as a platform to expand into the rest of the Central American market.
An article in Laprensa.hn contains statements by the executive, "Ficohsa will operate with international license in Panama,.
The company announced expansion plans for Central America and the Caribbean market.
From Panama, Denis Barbier, chief executive, said the company has strengthened its presence in Latin America with four assembly plants.
"Olivier Murguet, commercial director of Renault for America, stated that 2011 is the "year of the re-launching" of the European brand in Central America, the Caribbean and Ecuador" reported Elperiodico.com.gt.
The Rural Development Bank of Guatemala initiated an expansion process through Central America.
During its annual meeting it announced that they have started the admission process in the corresponding bodies of two Central American countries. Due to procedural reasons, they did not specify which.
Consultations by Prensalibre.com, with the Superintendence of Banks of Guatemala, indicated the Honduran regulator has requested information from the bank.
The Costa Rican company announced expansion plans in Honduras, the Dominican Republic and Panama.
The arrival of firms Lala, Femsa and Casaluque into the regional market influenced the company´s decision. Jorge Pattoni, manager of Dos Pinos, preferred not to talk about the type of investments to be made but said the company will not be sold and will further strengthen to compete in the regional market.
ICE plans to join forces with a telecom in order to compete locally and in other countries of the region.
Eduardo Doryan , President of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad, and Orlando Cascante, director of International Affairs, confirmed that the company, whom in the past had the monopoly of communications in Costa Rica, is looking for a partner with expertise in telecommunications to create an alliance that can compete effectively in the now open local market, and to initiate a process of internationalization by providing services in Central America.
The Brazilian energy company opened an office in Panama to coordinate and expand its activities in Central America.
In late January a company committee will travel the country to find a location and a law firm to represent them.
As part of its internationalization process, the corporation is looking for assets in Central America, where it already owns the Tumarín project in Nicaragua, representing 220 MW.
The Guatemalan bank will invest $20 million in the opening of five agencies in El Salvador.
Luis Lara Groject, Banco Industrial's manager, commented that the opening had been planned for May but the development of information systems took longer than expected.
According to elperiodico.com.gt the new Salvadoran branches will have $20 million worth of capital initially.
The Honduran corporation, which specializes in energy and infrastructure projects, feels its development has slowed within its own country.
Terra directors' sights are now set on clean and renewable energy projects in Costa Rica and Panama, having already completed and inaugurated its Guatemalan hydroelectric project at Xacbal.
Iván Vásquez, writing for Elheraldo.hn, reports comments from Terra Group president, Fredy Násser, on the company's successes in neighboring countries and the difficulties it has suffered at home in Honduras.
Latin America's first multinational integrated infocommunication services provider has invested $2.2 million in the development of its corporate presence in the Colombian market.
The amount invested will increase to $5.2 million in 2011 and the number of ITS InfoCom “knowledge workers” is expected to go from 71 to around 150.
Costa Rica president, Laura Chinchilla, inaugurated the ITS InfoCom's new Bogota facilities on Friday.
The offer to buy BAC-Credomatic made by Banco de Bogotá confirms that Colombia’s large financial groups are seeking to expand their borders.
An article in Portafolio.com.co remarks that BAC has so far not responded to the Colombians. The financial website also lists the international operations of Colombia’s financial institutions such as Colpatria, Davivienda and Bancolombia.