The Tax Administration of Guatemala has reported that it will be strengthening controls to detect cases that are not complying with the restrictions imposed on exports by land transport with Costa Rican registration or driver.
During 2018, sales of packaged foods in the United Kingdom exceeded $84 billion, and 36% corresponded to private label products, which have quickly entered this market.
The study "Trends and requirements of private label buyers in the food sector in the United Kingdom", prepared by Procomer Costa Rica, indicates that the United Kingdom stands out as the second country in Europe with greater penetration of private label.
Guatemalan exporters report that President Trump's warning about export tariffs and taxes on remittances and transfers is raising doubts among U.S. buyers.
Uncertainty prevails among most Guatemalan businessmen after President Trump reacted to the provisional protection established by the Guatemalan Constitutional Court, which limits the functions of the Executive Branch to negotiate or sign any foreign policy agreement.
In Costa Rica, exporters ask the Central Bank to "avoid distortions in the fixing of the exchange rate because of the oversupply of dollars from the sources of financing for the fiscal deficit."
At the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019, the dollar price against the Colon reported an upward trend, but from February 6 to mid-June 11, there has been a fall of up to 26 colones per dollar.
The outlook for the country's manufacturing industry is unfavorable, since in the first four months of the year companies outside the free trade zone reported a 5% year-on-year drop in their sales abroad.
Consistent with the behavior reported since the beginning of the year, in the first four months’ sales of Costa Rican goods abroad remained stagnant, totaling $3,693 million, just 0.2% above the figure reported in April 2018.
During the first three months of the year, sales of Costa Rican goods abroad totaled $2.757 million, just 0.5% above the $2.744 million reported as of March 2018.
The most updated data of the Foreign Trade Promoter (Procomer) specify that from January to March of this year the exports of companies in free trade zones registered a 12% year-on-year increase, and in the case of foreign sales of products in final regime fell 9%.
Because it has become expensive in Costa Rica to produce manufactured and agricultural goods, exports of services are increasingly gaining in market share.
Figures from the Promotora de Comercio Exterior (Procomer) detail that of the total exports in 2018, 56% corresponded to sale of goods and 44% to services. This composition is far from the figures of a decade ago, since in 2008 exports of goods monopolized 62% and services 38%.
The increase in Costa Rican exports during 2018 was mainly due to the performance of the 187 companies in the free zone, in contrast to the almost zero growth reported by companies exporting under the traditional scheme.
Figures from the Foreign Trade Promoter of Costa Rica (Procomer) detail that last year Costa Rica's exports totaled $11.312 million, 6% more than that recorded in 2017.
In Costa Rica, the private sector anticipates adverse effects on the export and tourism sector's competitiveness if the Ministry of Finance succeeds in consolidating its plan to issue $6 billion in bonds in the international market over the next six years.
The reaction of the country's export sector comes after the government announced this week that it will ask the Congress for authorization to issue bonds in international markets for at least $5 billion.
The complex economic and political situation that has affected Nicaragua since April continues to affect Central America, where exporters report losses of $45 million.
In the past months, cargo transport faced difficulties in moving goods along Nicaragua's highways due to demonstrators' blockades and insecurity, seriously affecting Central American companies.
As part of the Buyers Trade Mission, from 25 to 27 September, 500 Costa Rican exporters will be meeting with 300 entrepreneurs from 50 countries.
The Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer), the institution in charge of organizing the event, reported that this year it foresees holding 5,300 business appointments at the event, which will take place at the Costa Rica Convention Center, in Barreal de Heredia.
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.
On September 1 and 2 Nicaraguan exporters from various sectors will be exhibiting their merchandise in Managua and taking part in business rounds with international buyers.
The Nicaraguan exporters' union is inviting local and international businessmen to take part in business rounds within the framework of the ExpoApen 2017 exhibition.