Sauces and preparations, flavorings for food, fruit preserves, animal feed and cleaning products are some of the goods where there are opportunities in the Finnish market.
From the study "General Mapping of Finland", prepared by Procomer Costa Rica:
Finland is the 13th economy of the European Union (GDP $251.176 mm, 2016, 5 times that of CR).It is recognized as the 3rd least corrupt state in the world, for its highly educated population (100% literacy) and also is highlighted in various indexes related to competitiveness, and innovation among other things.
The high demands for quality standards, traceability and safety constitute a barrier to making the most out of the Agreement.
In the view of representatives from the Nicaraguan export sector, it has not been possible to make the most out of the association agreement with the European Union in its first two years, due to, among other things, unfavorable international prices, as has been the case of products such as sugar, coffee , cocoa, oil and alcohol.
Between January and October 2014 the South American country exported 18% more fresh fruits to the European Union, as a result of the tariff benefits arising from the agreement.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The tariff benefits coming from the Free Trade Agreement between Colombia and the European Union (EU) are promoting new exports, said ProColombia.
The sale of synthetic fibers increased by 133% between November 2012 and March 2013.
Statsistics from the Central Reserve Bank (BCR) reveal that between November 2012 and March 2013, exports of synthetic fibers to Europe increased from $1.4 million to $3.4 million, which is 133%.
"In other categories, food products such as honey increased sales by 29.8%, going from $4.3 million to $5.6 million."
The elimination of tariffs on agricultural products and flexible rules of origin for products such as tuna, textiles and plastics are part of the changes incorporated in the Agreement.
The Minister of Economy, Sergio de la Torre said that in the next few years Guatemala's exports to Europe could be doubled, as has happened with the other trade agreements that the Central American nation has signed.
Technical assistance and training will be provided for the public institutions who will be involved in the implementation of the agreement.
"AA-Integration Project" will take place in a period of 80 months with a $11.6 million investment, of which $9.1 million will be provided by the European Union and the rest by the Guatemalan government.
The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Guatemala.
On 25 and 26 November a seminar will be held to train Salvadoran SMEs in the legal regulations and requirements needed to export to the European market .
From a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador:
The Government of El Salvador with the European Union will hold on the 25th and 26th of November, the "CA- EU Partnership Agreement: opportunities to export" a seminar-workshop, in order to support small and medium enterprises in the Salvadoran process of internationalization and diversification of markets and products to Europe, as part of the trade pillar agreement which came into force on 1 October .
Small and medium enterprises in the region, especially in the food sector, have great opportunities to export to the European market.
This was explained by Ingrid Figueroa, director of the Regional Center for the Promotion of MSMEs (Cenpromype), an agency of the Central American Integration System (SICA).
Aspects such as quality, standards, certifications and seals of approval are elements that European consumers evaluate before acquiring goods that are produced in the region, therefore this must be made known to the producers. "For a small company that has not met the requirements of the European market it can be a complex issue," she said.
Nicaragua is able to sell 10,163 metric tons duty free to the EU.
Altogether, the Central America's total export quota adds up to 150,000 tons.
Mario Salaverria, president of the Sugar Association of El Salvador said the decision to sell the sugar was due to "uncertainty about the problem they had with Italy and that delivery times won't allow them to make the most of this access."
With the entry into force of the Association Agreement with the EU exporters will find consumers who demand quality in products and services but at a lower price.
When negotiations began on the trade agreement in 2008, its reference point was the stability that existed at that time on the continent. However, after the economic crisis hit Europe, the outlook now is different.
In the remainder of the year Nicaragua will only take advantage of 30% of the eight million pieces of textiles that the EU has assigned it, meaning that sales will be worth just $2 million.
Dean Garcia, executive director of the Nicaraguan Association of the Textile and Apparel Industry, explained that with one quarter of the year left it will be difficult for Nicaraguan firms to find new European customers.
The country has resolved the differences it had with Italy, allowing the Association Agreement with the European Union to enter into force as soon as possible.
From a press release by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
Today, September 23 the Finance Minister, Armando Flores and Deputy Minister of Economy, Mario Roger Hernandez, met with the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Italy, Carlo Calenda in order to discuss the Italian opposition to the entry into force of the Association Agreement with the European Union (ADA) for El Salvador, after Italy, in July this year, did not vote for the Agreement to enter into force on 1 August 2013 for El Salvador and Costa Rica and did vote to give it to Nicaragua, Honduras and Panama.
FECAEXCA has submitted a regional strategy for the Association Agreement to be an effective tool of investment, business and employment generation.
From a press release issued by the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport):
Central American exporters meeting in the Federation of Chambers and Associations of exporters from Central America and the Dominican Republic, FECAEXCA, has delivered to its governmental and private initiative authorities a regional strategy for the Association Agreement to be an effective tool for investment, business and generating employment for regional countries.
In the next six years, the EU will invest in regional customs strengthening which it considers essential for harnessing the benefits of the AA.
Laprensa.com.ni reports: "With the support of the Central American Economic Integration Secretariat the EU will start a Support Programme for Central American Economic Integration and Implementation of the AA".
Nicaragua and Honduras are allowed to sell 65,000 more metric tons duty-free to the European Union.
The country has given approval for both Nicaragua and Honduras to receive this benefit temporarily, until the trade agreement becomes effective for Guatemala. "The Council of Ministers of Economy and Trade for Central America (Comieco) gave authorization this weekend for each country in the region to be able to make available its quotas at will" reported Nicaraguahoy.info.