Last year, trade in paints and varnishes between Central American countries amounted to $123 million, which is 10% lower than in 2019, a drop that was reported in the context of the economic crisis resulting from the Covid-19 outbreak.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
Unless intra-regional trade in chemical contents and residues, micronutrients and food preparations is regulated in a balanced manner, trade relations in Central America could face obstacles in the future.
Trade between Central American countries is essential, since a considerable proportion of foreign sales by local companies are destined for other markets in the region.
Due to the tropical storms Eta and Iota, severe damage has been reported to the road network in Central American countries, and some border posts in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador have been suspended.
Since November 17, operations were suspended at the El Corinto, El Florido and Aguas Calientes border posts. These areas, shared by Guatemala and Honduras, are not operational, according to the Guatemalan Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT).
Arguing that there is unfair treatment in the other countries of the region, Costa Rican drivers of cargo vehicles block the transit through the border posts of Penas Blancas and Paso Canoas.
The protests in Costa Rica, which affect vehicle circulation in the country and border crossings, will have a short-term impact on intraregional trade and cargo transport costs.
In order to access the $1.75 billion credit that it intends to request from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Costa Rican government proposed to tax financial transactions, raise the tax on the profits of companies and individuals, and increase the tax on real estate.
As of October 1st, Guatemala and Honduras will begin operating three Peripheral Customs Offices, areas that will simplify procedures and allow free community mobility between both countries.
Guatemalan and Honduran taxpayers who make definitive imports to each State Party will be the ones to benefit from the implementation of this type of customs, since the goods imported under this modality will enjoy free mobility.
In order to ensure the supply of drinking water supply to half of the Panamanian population for the next 50 years, achieve water sustainability in its operations and guarantee its competitiveness, the Panama Canal will invest $2 billion.
From three to five days, the time that Costa Rican carriers have available to stay in Nicaraguan territory, to unload goods or for regional transit, was increased.
Currently, transporting goods by sea between Central American countries can increase freight costs by at least 60% compared to the land option, which represents an obstacle to changing the way goods are transferred in the region.
As a result of the closure of the Penas Blancas customs crossing, on the border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, some businessmen in the region had to resort to the sea route in order to deliver their orders.
After several days of tension generated by the restrictions imposed by Costa Rica on the transport of cargo from neighboring countries, Central American authorities reached an agreement and opened the way at the border of Penas Blancas.
After the first case of covid-19 was reported in the country, the private sector is asking authorities to close the borders partially or completely and to have people entering the nation examined and quarantined if necessary.
Jose Adan Aguerri, president of the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP), explained that among the measures taken by the companies for this emergency is the creation of a critical department so that the companies that the staff is working in three different places in case any of them is affected, have guns to measure the temperature of customers who come to the company and not allow them to enter with fever.
During 2019, general merchandise exports totaled Ch$4.16 billion, 2.7% less than reported in 2018, a decrease that is explained by the reduction in coffee, banana and zinc sales.
Agro-industrial activity reported exports of $2,170.9 million, $142.9 million less than in 2018, mainly because of the decline in coffee exports by $168.5 million (15.1%), this result is associated with increased global supply of the grain, reported the Central Bank of Honduras (BCH).
In Guatemala, the public and private sectors signed an agreement to implement the National Plan for the Reduction of Time in Definitive Imports, which contains specific measures to reduce costs in customs.
The action plan is the tool that defines recommendations to advance in the facilitation and modernization of customs that will result in improving the country's competitiveness and business climate, reported AGEXPORT.
Between January and November 2019, mining sector exports totaled $153 million, 16% less than what was reported in the same period in 2018.
Exports of mining activity recorded a value of $152.8 million, $27.6 million below what was observed in November 2018, as a result of the reduction of $17.4 million in shipments of zinc, related to the fall in price and volume exported, also, gold sales showed a decrease of $6.7 million, resulting from operational problems in some of the extracting companies, informed the Central Bank of Honduras.