The bureaucratic procedures and permits required by the Cuban government and some restrictions on the establishment of companies could represent obstacles for foreign businessmen interested in investing on the island.
Although in Cuba there exists sectors such as telecommunications and construction, which have high growth potential due to a backlog in investment, those who are knowledgeable about the real situation in Cuban say that it will be difficult to take advantage of these opportunities, at least for now.That is the perception of the former ambassador of Costa Rica in Cuba, Rodrigo Carreras, who in an interview with the newspaper Nacion.com, detailed the conditions of the economy of the island and the difficulties that could be faced by entrepreneurs interested in doing business there.
Since the entry into force of the trade agreement in 2009, Colombian exports to Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras have grown by 38%.
Colombia is now seeking more opportunities in the fields of cosmetics, automotive goods and metalworking in El Salvador, and in textiles and clothing in Guatemala.
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with countries in the Northern Triangle has not sat well with sales abroad of Colombian non-mining energy products, but this balance that favors it even out more if Colombia starts buying more supplies in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, to add value added.
Medicines, plastic footwear, juices and coffee are some of the products that will enter the Bolivian market with tariff preferences once the agreement has been approved.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
The Deputy Minister of Economy, Dr. Luz Estrella Rodriguez and Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Integration of Bolivia, Walter Clarems Endara Vera, hailed the results at the conclusion of the fourth round of negotiations to realize a Partial Scope Agreement between the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the Republic of El Salvador.
Fresh fruits, processed fruits, concentrates and fruit juices, coffee and cocoa are the main products with potential for export to China.
From a statement issued by Procomer of Costa Rica:
San José, November 18, 2016. Fresh fruits, processed fruits, concentrates and fruit juices, as well as coffee and cocoa are the main Costa Rican products that have potential for export to the Republic of Korea; a developed country with sophisticated and demanding consumers, in terms of innovation and quality.
In the first half of the year imports of fresh fruit and vegetables grew by 20% in volume and 27% in value compared to the same period in 2015.
From a statement issued by AgroMeat:
In the period from January to July 2016, Spanish imports of fresh fruit and vegetables totaled 1.7 million tons and reported revenues of 1,389 million euros, representing an increase of 20% in volume and 27% in value, reported the Spanish Federation of Producers and Exporters of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers [...]
Natural disasters and diseases such as lethal yellowing are factors that have caused a decline in coconut production in the Caribbean.
Extreme weather events such as droughts and storms, coupled with the growing presence of lethal yellowing, which spreads in coconut plantations through mosquitoes, have significantly reduced production of this fruit.In Nagua alone, on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, production has fallen by 20% over the past two decades.
A business conference will be held on September 5 for distributors, importers, and manufacturers and food companies to explore business opportunities with companies from Taiwan.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of El Salvador is inviting companies to take part in a business conferences with Taiwanese companies.
The union of exporters and the Turkish government are proposing setting up a business center in Panama that will function as a platform for trade with the rest of the region.
The aim of the Turkish Exporters Assembly is to explore business opportunities in the region, using Panama as a central point and from there to presenting its exports not only to Central America but also to South American countries.
Opportunities have been identified in the Bolivian market for products such as antitussives, nappy rash creams, central nervous system stimulants, chlorhexidine soap and veterinary products.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
Senior leaders of the Salvadoran Pharmaceutical Chemical Industry grouped together under Inquifar held a working meeting this afternoon with delegations participating in the Second Round of Negotiations to reach a Partial Scope Agreement between Bolivia and El Salvador.
Fruit juices and concentrates, canned tropical fruit, water, electric cables, laminated iron or steel products, antisera and drugs are among the products with the potential to enter the Israeli market.
A study by the Costa Rica Foreign Trade Promotion Office has identified 63 products that have export potential indicative to the Israeli market. The sector with the greatest potential is food (19%), followed by livestock and fisheries (19%) and metallurgy (17%). Among the products are: juices and fruit concentrates, canned tropical fruit, water, electric cables, laminated iron or steel products, antisera and drugs.
Australian consumers imbibe on average 11 cups of coffee a week, spending an average of $344 per year.
Information from the Foreign Trade Office of Costa Rica:
The Australian economy is experiencing a good moment: it is the twelfth largest in the world, with sustained economic growth close to 3% in the last 5 years, driven by a growing middle class.
From September 27 to 29 the eighteenth edition of the Buyers Trade Mission will bring together companies from Costa Rica and international buyers from 30 countries.
Business agenda with Costa Rican suppliers, development of contacts with company decision makers, visits to outlets and access to the exhibition area and product testing are part of what is on offer at the trade fair organized by PROCOMER which will be held in the Pedregal Events Centre in the province of Heredia.
Drought in Southeast Asia is creating opportunities to export more palm oil to Europe, where the entry of the product is duty free because of the Association Agreement with Central America.
The fall of up to 45% in the production of palm oil in Southeast Asia (the world's leading producer) due to El Niño has opened up an opportunity for Central American countries to export the product to markets such as Europe.
Promotion is being given to exports to China of organic cocoa-based foods, chocolate confectionery, unsweetened cocoa powder and cocoa paste.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Office of Costa Rica:
Western foods are gaining increasing market share in South Korea, whose market depends heavily on imports, which have been boosted by growth in per capita spending on food.
The trade fair in Panama starts with 120 buyers in Central America and the Caribbean in the Atlapa Convention Center.
In 2015, Expocomer managed transactions totalling $124 million and for the 2016 edition the organizers expect a similar or higher figure, as it has now sold out, according to statements made to Anpanama.com by Raul Delvalle, President of the Organizing Committee of Expocomer 2016.