The numbers from the board's Monthly Economic Activity Index for the firs three months of this year show a process of deceleration in both short- and long-term trends and a downturn in the business cycle.
Even so, it foresees growth in the region of about 5.5. percent for the rest of the year, well ahead of the increase in population.
The board predicts that the U.S. slowdown will not be as serious as some previous ones, and notes that Central America has continued to expand its exports as well as tourism.
The board said it will have to wait a few months to fully evaluate the effects of the trade agreement between the region and Central America.

Source: Central American Executive Secretariat of the Monetary Council

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