In order to expedite intraregional trade it is necessary for customs offices dealing with cargo freight, to be open all hours, just as immigration customs offices are.
A study commissioned by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Central America (Fecamco) concluded that there are 87 barriers to trade in the region, one of the major ones being operations of the systems at customs offices at borders, followed by bureaucratic requirements and lack of adequate infrastructure.
Finally the geopolitical reality has been imposed and the Canal country has been formally integrated into the community of Central America nations.
It was "a great achievement" and one "longed for for many years by all Central American countries", this was Panama's accession to SIECA, an organ of the Central American Integration System (SICA), said Anabel Gonzalez, Costa Rican Foreign Trade Minister.
Procomer identified 726 Costa Rican export products as having some level of potential to be marketed in Russia.
From a press release issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
After statistical analysis prepared by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) it has been revealed that there are 726 goods among Costa Rican exports with some level of potential to be marketed in Russia, a transcontinental nation which forms part of the emerging nations and whose population is 143.1 million.
In Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador large scale traders and exporters are leveraging the ability of small farmers assuring them market space.
For example, in Nicaragua, 228 dairy producers who are members of the Cooperative 'Cooperativa de Productores de Leche El Triunfo RL ' (Cooproleche) are no longer exposed to having to sell their product at any price .
After an investment of $70 million, Walmart has opened a 52,000 square meter distribution center in Costa Rica.
"The building has an area of 52,000 m² and its surface area is equivalent to 67 football fields according to the company, and is located in the industrial complex in Coyol in Alajuela", reported Nacion.com.
According to Julio Quevedo, vice president of logistics at Walmart, Mexico and Central America, the CEDI was planned taking into account the expected growth in the chain in Costa Rica over the next five years, though he could not reveal the figures as the the company is quoted on the Stock Exchange.
The Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union will enter into force on August 1 for countries which ratify it before July 15.
From a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica (COMEX):
Today, the deputies in charge of foreign trade of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama met in San Jose, where they held a video conference with the Director General of the Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission, Joao Aguiar Machado, who served as Chief Negotiator for the European Central America Association Agreement (CAAA). During the meeting they discussed the progress of the registration of geographical indications in the legislative process and approval of the Agreement.
The Union of Central American Bi-National Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Mexican Investment has been formally established.
Ucabicimex is "formed by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Costa Rica - Mexico (Cicomex), the Salvadoran - Mexican Trade (Chamber Casalmex), the Guatemalan - Mexican Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CAMEX), the Honduras - Mexico Enterprise Chamber ( CEHM), the Mexico - Costa Rica Enterprise Chamber (Camexcr), the Mexico - El Salvador Enterprise Chamber (Camexsal), the Mexico - Nicaraguan Enterprise Chamber (Camenic) and the Mexico - Panama Chamber of Commerce (Camexpa) ", reported Nacion.com.
Since the entry into force in 2006 of the DR-CAFTA, the tip in favor of the U.S. in the trade balance has multiplied by 5.
"The Central America to which President Barack Obama is coming to visit on on Friday is a region that maintains multiple communication vessels with the United States, including a growing trade relationship which in 2012 amounted to $40 billion, although very much in favor of the American power," reported Prensa.com.
In preparation for his visit to the region, the U.S. president is meeting with business leaders who have a "significant presence" in Mexico and Central America.
According to the White House, the goal is to talk with employers, before his trip to the region next week, about "opportunities to expand U.S. trade with Mexico and Central America", with the goal of creating jobs and "reducing barriers to growth" in the region.
In the past 20 years intraregional trade grew at a rate of 12% per year, indicating an opportunity to deepen integration by finally fully adopting the customs union.
However, experts believe that Central America still faces challenges, specifically in customs matters.
"Exports to Central America have grown over the past 20 years at a rate of 50% more than exports to the rest of the world." "...at an average of 12% annually, and our exports to the world have grown at an average of 8% annually. This underlines the importance of intraregional trade dynamics in this space of Central American integration," said Hugo Beteta, CEO of the subregional site of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Mexico.
With almost a month to go before the start of Expocomer, 100% of the 14,000 square meters of the Atlapa Convention Center has already been sold.
So announced Raul Delvalle, president of the organizing committee, who said that in this version participants are expected from over 30 countries in America, Europe and Asia.
"Business appointments are being made for international exhibitors with whom we hope to exceed expectations in previous years.
Disinterest and a change of plans by organizers has forced Salvadoran authorities to cancel their participation in two events.
The Investment Promotion Agency (Proesa) of El Salvador had to cancel participation in two fairs planned for April.
Those are, OutSource2LAC, scheduled for 12th and 13th of this month, the date was changed by the organizers themselves, said Giovanni Berti, director of the agency.
The Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Central America has met in Managua, to discuss proposals and initiatives to overcome barriers of various kinds to trade on the isthmus.
"The president of the Chamber of Commerce of Nicaragua (CACONIC), Mario Gonzalez, said that employers are looking for strategies to strongly influence their respective governments with the aim of stopping them from blocking regional trade, including the closure of the borders, for political reasons or non-tariff related barriers," reported La Prensa in its online edition.
The IDB loan will increase competitiveness and incomes of micro business.
The municipal markets of El Salvador will modernize and improve operations and facilities with a loan of U.S. $ 10 million from the Opportunities for Majorities of the Inter-American Development Bank. The initiative includes other loans of up to similar amount syndicated to international lenders.