Central America's trade dynamics in 2013 showed a slight cooling off mainly due to weak growth in external demand from trading partners out of the region.
From the executive summary of the Central America Annual Foreign Trade Report by SIECA:
In 2013 world trade in goods and services registered a moderate recovery, having experienced annual growth of 3.0% which is slightly higher than the trade growth in 2008 prior to the global economic crisis. Signs of recovery in the global commercial activity have been confirmed by the relative improvement in macroeconomic conditions in the advanced economies. In the commercial context described, Central America experienced a real growth of the economy equivalent to 4.1% in 2013, showing a slight slowdown compared to that observed in 2012, the year in which the regional economy grew by 5.2% annually.
More than 500 companies from 30 countries are taking part in the most important international trade show in the region.
From a press Release by Expocomer:
"With the collaboration of more than 500 companies from over 30 countries from North, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia, the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) today opened Expocomer 2014, the thirty-second version of the most important trade show in Panama and the region.
Governments are to certify a poultry plant in each country in order to formalize the process of exporting and importing, in an attempt to stabilize prices.
In order to solve the problem between merchants and egg producers in Nicaragua and Honduras, the respective governments have agreed to certify for importing and exporting one poultry plant in each country, with all the necessary requirements and in this way achieve price stability.
The Superior Council of Private Enterprise opposes the proposed "patriotic tax" of 35% on Costa Rican products and services.
The proposal by the Nicaraguan former Foreign Minister Francisco Aguirre, to charge a 35% tariff on products entering from Costa Rica has been rejected by the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (Cosep). The destination of the proposed tax revenue would have been used to cover expenses with the International Court of Justice where both countries maintain a border dispute.
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.
Guatemala is not getting ready for the entry into force in January 2015 of a U.S. policy which establishes inspection systems for containers at the ports of departure.
Guatemala is running the risk of not being able to sell its products to the United States, seeing as authorities have not placed any importance on the implementation of the Initiative for Safe Containers (Container Security Initiative-CSI).
Exports from the region registered a FOB value of U.S. $2.478 billion, an increase of 5.7% compared to the $2.344 billion exported during the same month last year.
The categories of products that contributed to the performance of exports, classified by Chapter of the Central American Tariff System - SAC - which accounted for 59.9% (U.S. $1484.6 billion) of total exports, were:
On 20 and 21 May, representatives from more than 20 countries in America will discuss in El Salvador the features of this tool and its influence on foreign trade.
From a press release issued by the Ministry of Economy in El Salvador:
El Salvador has been selected as the site to host the Third Meeting of Single Foreign Trade Windows, an event that is sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank and will be attended by representatives from 27 countries of Latin.
Private entrepreneurs and economic analysts say that countries in the region are still working in isolation, despite trade agreements.
"Every country does its own thing in order to grow, but we must begin to see ourselves as a unified block because we do not have the ability to compete alone. We must unite regionally" said the manager of the economic section of the Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development (Fusades), Álvaro Trigueros.
The crisis in developed countries is forcing markets to diversify; the relationship between the Caribbean and Central America is one showing great commercial potential.
The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) is made up of 28 countries with a potential market of 63 million people. Some of these countries have relatively high per capita incomes, such as the Bahamas, where the average GDP is $22,900, or Trinidad and Tobago, with $18,600.
Foreign Trade Statistics for the period July to September 2011 by the Central American Economic Integration Secretariat.
Central American trade (exports + imports) reached $60,780 million during the first nine months of 2011. This exchange is 21.9% higher than in the same period last year, equivalent in absolute terms to an increase of $10,922.4 million.
Two companies will install production plants, one for solar panels and one for cardboard boxes.
The trade agreement signed in 2008 has boosted Taiwanese investments in Nicaragua and created closer diplomatic and commercial ties between both nations.
So far, Taiwan has invested more than $135 million in the Central American country, particularly in the free zones.
Analysis of the Central American trade performance in the first quarters of 2010 and 2011.
In addition to the statistical analysis convergence polygons are also used as an illustrative tool in order to facilitate the analysis of regional trade.
A. Export performance
Total Central American exports in the first quarter 2011 were $7.263 million, 21.4% higher than in the same period last year.