Producers and exporters can obtain information about certification programs and their implementation mechanisms and procedures and potential costs and benefits of audits.
Standards Map is a web-based project by the Commerce for Sustainable Development (T4SD) of the ITC [International Trade Center] and a partnership-based initiative to increase transparency of voluntary standards and improve sustainable production and trade opportunities.
Beginning March 28 through 29 some 30 Peruvian companies will meet at the Guatemalan capital.
In order to identify business opportunities with Guatemalan businessmen, the Commission for the Promotion of Peruvian Exports and Tourism (PromPeru) has organized the ExpoPerú 2011, to be held in Guatemala on March 28 hoping it may provide key connections for a two-way trade between Guatemala and Peru.
The business delegation, made up of 18 companies from various sectors, will explore business and investment opportunities.
Organized by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce of Guatemala and the Chamber of Commerce of Madrid, the meetings will take place on the 10th and 11th of March.
"The Spanish Chamber of Commerce of Guatemala has organized an intense work schedule for the trade mission, including planning meetings, over 150 meetings with Guatemalan companies, two special presentations to 25 potential clients and a closing cocktail," reported Prensalibre.com.
El Salvador left the unified customs office it shared with Honduras in Puerto Cortes, in order to move to Guatemala.
According to information made public in a radio station, the move was done last January.
"According to the report, most of the Salvadoran cargo passes through Guatemala due to low import and export costs which affect the prices paid by merchants and consumers," reported Elheraldo.hn.
Generates business opportunities by linking supply and demand of goods and services between Central America and the rest of the world.
Organization that operates in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama
Phone: (506) 225 4786
By the end of 2010, imports, exports and package shipments increased 12% compared to 2009.
According to statistics given by the Committee on Import and Export (Combex Im), total imports were 28.3 million kilos in courier and general cargo and in the case of exports 28.6 million kilos were transported.
"Combex data highlights that shipment of clothing by national textiles, had the greatest demand for air transportation, having to comply with orders from U.S. customers. Almost 4.5 million kilos were exported through these means," reports the article in Prensalibre.com.
Regional trade grew 6% in the first 6 months of the year compared to the same period of 2009.
According to information from the Central American Economic Integration Department (SIECA), between January and June of this year, trade reached $ 2,844 million, $ 165 million higher than the same period of 2009.
"In the first half of 2009, sales among Central American countries reached U.S. $ 2,679.5 million" Prensalibre.com stated in their article.
Two border crossings located in the state of Ahuachapán in El Salvador are closed due to infrastructure damaged by excessive rainfall.
The civil protection authority officially reported today that the border control offices of La Hachadura and Las Chinamas were closed for transit.
“A 2.5m deep hole has formed at La Hachadura, affecting both lanes of the Arce Bridge, at the Guatemalan side of the border”, reported Laprensagrafica.com.
Improvements to infrastructure, consolidation of regional integration and increasing its competiveness are a few of the challenges faced by Central America.
The world economic crisis was felt by the region with a 29% drop in exports and 13% less imports, according to data from Central American central banks.
Journalist Leonel Díaz Zeceña analyzes the issues in his article for Prensa Libre and reports comments from businesses and analysts.
Heavy rains have led to deteriorations in road infrastructure, the closure of customs offices and a reduction in tourism.
The closure of the Entre Ríos customs at the border with Honduras due to the collapse of the bridge over the Motagua river meant that Izabel in Guatemala was cut off from the Honduran industrial capital, San Pedro Sula. This in turn made it impossible for land freight to reach Guatemala from Honduras' Caribbean ports.
The collapse of a bridge has led to the closure of the customs office at Entre Ríos between Izabel in Guatemala and Honduras.
The Guatemalan Tax Revenue Authority (SAT) announced the indefinite closure yesterday. The customs authorities at El Florido in Camotán and at Agua Caliente in Esquipulas have been informed.
"Damage to the bridge located at kilometer 301 on the Interamerican Highway was reported on Friday and by Sunday the entire structure had fallen into the river," reports Prensalibre.com.
In the first six months of the year the country's accumulated trade deficit reached $2.16 billion, compared with $1.70 billion for the same period in 2009.
According to the report released by the Guatemalan central bank, Banguat, in the first half of 2010, exports increased 18% relative to the same period of 2009. Meanwhile imports increased almost 21%.
These are the only sectors to manage to reverse the falls registered last year.
Of the nine sectors included in the April's Monthly Index of Economic Activity (IMAE) published by the Bank of Guatemala, only three display a positive trend – Commerce, Agriculture and Private Services. The remaining six sectors show no signs of recovery or continue to display a negative trend.
A meeting between the Central America Integration Secretary (SICA) and the Republic of Korea concluded with important agreements in regional cooperation, economy and security.
The Central American nations expressed their concern for the serious crime situation experienced in the region, and invited Korea to support the International Conference for Central America’s Security Strategy, planned for next year.