Three weeks ahead of the ballotage in Costa Rica, exporters are demanding more flexibility from the candidates, modernization of the port of Caldera and better security controls at ports and on roads.
One of the issues that has most affected the flow of international trade in Costa Rica in recent years has been the security of exports and how these have been damaged by theft and constant interception of containers.This is one of the issues which exporters are demanding more attention be paid to by the government that will take office on May 1.
The regulations in force for Central America allow two methods of certifying the weight of cargo moving through ports in the region.
The new regulations in force since July 1 oblige entities transporting containerized cargo by sea tocertify its weight under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (Solas). The problem cited by exporters is the increase this will have on costs, in addition to infrastructure problems faced in some ports in the region.
In Colombia a simplified export procedure allows anyone to use the system, by sending their product through courier companies.
The National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia, with the aim of promoting the export of small quantities of coffee, has developed a simplified export procedure, which allows any natural or legal person who has registered in advance as a coffee exporter to make use of this format, whereby companies use postal and courier services, which will be registered in the system of the Federation for that purpose.
On July 8 in Guatemala City a seminar will be held on compliance with technical regulations for exporting to Ecuador.
From a statement from the Ministry of Economy (Mineco):
A free seminar for Guatemalan businessmen interested in exporting to Ecuador: Effective compliance with Ecuadorian technical regulations for Guatemalan export products.
Taught by engineer Ileana Romero Santana, Coordinator of processing at Ecuador's Single Window System Ecuapaas INEN.
Tires, ceramics, auto parts and raw materials are part of the list of 2,800 products which will incur higher fees in order to enter the Ecuadorian market from March 11.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Trade in Ecuador:
The external landscape has changed expectations regarding our balance of payments and we are facing a new scenario which affects the commercial arena which is low oil prices, the appreciation of the US dollar, so it is necessary to take measures to regulate the general level of imports and balance our trade balance.
A requirement has been eliminated which previously obliged companies exporting goods to submit records which indicated the customs procedure under which the company operates.
From a bulletin by the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica:
The Ministry of Foreign Trade announced that it has been agreed with the authorities of El Salvador that in bilateral trade the requirement to submit records which indicate the customs procedure under which the exporter of the goods operates has been eliminated. The elimination of the requirement will be effective for both parties from February 16 this year.
On November 25th in Guatemala a seminar will be given on policy and tariff and non-tariff regulations which must be taken into consideration by companies that trade with Mexico.
From a statement issued by the Guatemalan Exporters Association (-AGEXPORT-):
In order to publicize the regulations, tariff and non-tariff rules which must be complied with by Guatemalan companies trading with the Mexican market, the School of Foreign Trade -AGEXPORT- will be holding a seminar on customs procedures for doing business with Mexico, Export / Import .
On November 4th, the Guatemalan Exporters Association will be providing information on regulatory technical requirements to be met in order to export food to the EU.
From a statement from the Guatemalan Association of Exporters:
The Commission on Food and Beverage at AGEXPORT will be holding a seminar on the 'technical regulatory requirements on food exports to the European Union' on 4 November.
The government of Honduras has announced that it will continue spraying trucks from El Salvador, due to the presence of a pest, but without charging the fee of $10 as it has so far done.
Fumigation of all trucks leaving the Salvadoran borders is essential since the presence of the pink hibiscus mealybug pest was detected in some shipments in recent weeks.
The deadline for food exporters to update their details with the Food and Drug Administration of USA is December 31, 2014.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER):
Every company which manufactures, processes, packs or holds food for human or animal consumption and export to the United States must renew its registration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as part of the measures included in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The deadline for this adjustment will be from 1 October to 31 December.
Despite the antiquity of the efforts for Central American integration and for the Customs Union the obstacles to trade between the countries on the isthmus presented by customs offices are notorious.
The Federation of Chambers and Associations of Exporters of Central America (Fecaxca) is once again calling for policies and common strategies for standards and customs procedures.
New legislation establishes the same inspection processes for food imports and exports and domestically produced foodstuffs.
From a press release issued by the American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA):
Exporters in Latin America and the Caribbean who market their products in Canada will probably have to improve their agricultural health and food safety (AHFS) controls if Canada approves a proposal aimed at modernizing its regulations.
Questions and answers on the application of Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on food information to consumers.
Starting in December 2014 the regulation No. 1169/2011 on food information for consumers will come into effect.
On October 25, 2011, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information given to consumers (hereinafter called 'the IAC Regulation').
A new National Interpretation Guide has been created which includes a specific chapter on fruits and vegetables adapted to the country.
GLOBALG.A.P started in 1997 as EUREPGAP, an initiative of the retail sector grouped under EUREP (Euro-Retailer Produce Working Group).
The UK retail sector together with supermarkets in continental Europe began to become aware of growing concerns about food safety, environmental impact and the health, safety and welfare of workers and animals. Its solution was to harmonize their rules and procedures and develop a system of independent certification for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
Packaged foods that are exported to the South American country must indicate levels of sugar, salt and fat.
The advertising of packaged foods containing high levels of sugar, salt or fat must contain the message "Eating healthy and exercising is good for your health." The new regulation applies to products manufactured in Chile and imported ones.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):