After HBM Global Trading Corp exported the first shipment of MD2 pineapple, the fruit began to be sold in Israeli supermarkets.
Prilatinode is the brand name of the exported pineapple, which was packed in 300 gram packages and arrived in Israeli markets in a shipment of 525 boxes, being the first to be exported under the Israel-Panama Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The possibility of negotiating a free trade agreement with the trade bloc of South American countries is back on the discussion.
The issue will be discussed in detail at the meeting of the Council of Ministers of Economy of the region (Comieco), to be held in El Salvador on December 5 and 6.
Acisclo Valladares Urruela, Minister of Economy of Guatemala, confirmed to Prensalibre.com that "...
Guatemalan authorities, the only country in the region that is negotiating the FTA with Korea unilaterally, announced that they will speed up efforts to sign the agreement before the end of the year.
The announcement was made by President Jimmy Morales in the company of the Minister of Economy, Acisclo Valladares Urruela, before the members of the board of directors of the National Coffee Association (Anacafé), which is one of the sectors that is demanding the adhesion of the country to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Central America and South Korea.
Since Cortizo took office, Panamanian exporters have been concerned about the negotiation of the agreement with China, as they believe the delays could affect the results achieved so far.
It was announced that the National Assembly of South Korea ratified the Free Trade Agreement signed with Central America.
The announcement was made by Seok-hyun Lee, deputy of the Korean assembly, who reported on the evening of August 2: "... We, the Korean National Assembly last night ratified the FTA with the nations of Central America. I hope you will benefit each other."
Once the agreement approved by the Assembly enters into force, 80% of Costa Rican products will be able to enter the Korean market duty free.
The Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Republics of Central America was approved in the second debate, with 42 votes in favor. This trade agreement opens up export opportunities for the agricultural sector and addresses industry sensitivities, explained the Ministry of Foreign Trade.
Since the beggining of the FTA Guatemalan exports to Colombia have increased by 4.6% annually, while Colombian goods going to Guatemala have risen by 23.9% annually.
From a statement issued by the Government of Guatemala:
It has now been five years since the entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement-FTA- between the Republics of Guatemala and Colombia which has fostered the expansion and diversification of trade in goods and services between the two countries by removing trade barriers.
The Guatemalan Exports Association is organizing a course to show in detail how to meet the requirements for exporting under the terms of the FTA.
In order to find out in detail the procedures for successfully gaining a certificate of origin from major FTAs and avoid problems in customs operations, the School of Foreign Trade at AGEXPORT, will hold on March 31, 2014 a course entitled: "Certificates of Origin under the main commercial treaties signed by Guatemala Export / Import".
The pre fifth round meeting has finished with the parties having reached agreements on issues on National Treatment and Access of Merchandise to the Market, Rules and Procedures on Origins and Public Procurements.
The V round of negotiations is scheduled for 18 and 21 March in Panama City.
From a press release issued by the Ministry of Economy in Mexico:
The Costa Rican Congress approved on its first reading a Free Trade Agreement which makes 71% of the market for goods and services in Colombia duty free.
On Monday, the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica approved on its first reading the Free Trade Agreement with Colombia. The entry into force of this trade agreement is needed in order to allow the Central American nation to join the Pacific Alliance.
Companies are preparing for the process of tariff reduction for imported goods and services from the United States under the FTA.
Starting 2015 various products will be able to come into Nicaragua from the U.S. tax free. Employers are now preparing for the tariff reduction process of the Free Trade Agreement between the U.S., Central America and Dominican Republic (DR -CAFTA).
The fourth round has been completed with agreements made on the chapters on Rules of Origin, Investment and Financial Services.
The delegations from both countries agreed to hold a fifth round of negotiations from 18th to 21st March in Panama City.
From a press release issued by the Ministry of Economy of Mexico:
The Governments of the United Mexican States and the Republic of Panama have concluded a fourth round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This round of negotiations was held in Mexico City from 4th to 7th February 2014 and was led by Deputy Minister of International Trade Negotiations of Panama, Diana Salazar and Assistant Secretary for Foreign Trade of Mexico, Francisco de Rosenzweig.
On March 24, the Guatemalan Exporters Association will give a presentation on business opportunities in Chile.
From a statement issued by the Guatemalan Exporters Association (Agexport) reads:
The Department of Business Information and Market Intelligence AGEXPORT, INFOEXPORT in partnership with the institution of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile, PROCHILE, is to hold on March 24, 2014, a presentation on the opportunities for exports and imports in Chile and on the evolution of trade relations between the two countries since the entry into force of the FTA.
The temporary entry of business people, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures are among the topics to be discussed at this meeting.
From February 4th to 8th in Mexico City, a fourth round of negotiations will be held for the signing of an FTA between Panama and Mexico. Some of the topics to be covered in this new round are: temporary entry of business people, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, intellectual property, and others.
Market access, rules of origin and procedures, public procurement and services and investment will be discussed in a mini round of negotiations in Panama City.
From 13th to 17th of January a mini round of negotiations for the signing of the FTA with Mexico will be held in Panama.
From a press release issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Panama: