From November 25 to December 4, 2020, the "China-Central America and South Pacific International Trade Digital Exhibition" will be held, a virtual event in which more than 600 Chinese companies will exhibit their products to companies in the region.
Construction materials, hardware, light industrial products, machinery, vehicles, communication equipment, electronic products, household appliances and daily consumer goods are some of the types of products that will be presented by Asian companies.
The growing uncertainty about the safety of seafood products exported from China, one of the world's leading producers, could represent an opportunity for Central American countries to gain some insight into the global market.
In this context of new commercial reality, the retail channel will continue to be the main demander in the short term for products that are easy to prepare such as tilapia, salmon, trout, shrimp and others with which consumers feel more comfortable cooking at home.
Increased demand for cleaning products, the use of e-commerce as a purchasing channel and the preference for functional foods are some of the new trends that will prevail in the medium and long term, once the pandemic is overcome.
According to a study prepared by the Foreign Trade Promoter of Costa Rica (Procomer), the outbreak of covid-19 has caused changes in consumer behavior and to take advantage of the opportunities one must begin to understand those that will come after the pandemic is overcome.
EXPOCOMER 2020 will take place in Panama City from March 25 to 28. Businessmen from 30 countries will participate in the event, exhibiting food products, beverages, textiles, clothing and accessories, technological and electronic equipment.
Jorge Garcia Icaza, president of the EXPOCOMER 2020 Organizing Committee, reported that the exhibition area of the fair to be held at the Atlapa Convention Center has sold out 90% to date and this year's edition is expected to attract the participation of some 30 countries from the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia, who will attend this event to take advantage of opportunities to present everything from food and textile lines to technology and home appliances, among others.
Because private universities in the South American country have internationalization programs for their educational services, there are opportunities to attract foreign students in specific areas.
The study "Oportunidades de exportación de servicios educativos a Perú", elaborated by Procomer Costa Rica, explains that the areas with greater opportunity for the educational offer of the Costa Rican market are those in which the country is internationally recognized as sustainability as a transversal area to any area of study (architecture, fashion), agribusiness, tourism and peace.
Building specialized docks for the auxiliary marine industry and increasing the capacity to deliver quickly by air are some of the challenges that Panama will face in the coming years.
The Panamanian economy depends heavily on the logistics sector, but currently faces new challenges because of the increasing competition from other regional players who offer better costs in managing cargo on a large scale.
From 20 to 23 May, an online business meeting will be held with South Korea for companies in the food and beverage sectors.
The Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA) coordinates the "Virtual Business Roundtable with South Korea," which is aimed at companies in the food and beverage sector, and will be conducted through the Central American Trade Network.
In Guatemala, the business sector has already begun to analyze the market opportunities that will arise after the Salvadoran government decided to cancel the FTA with Taiwan.
The decision taken by the Sánchez Cerén administration in December last year will be implemented as of March 15, when the Free Trade Agreement between Taiwan and El Salvador will expire.
The FTA with Panama and the agreement with El Salvador, both in the negotiation stage, are part of the commercial opportunities that the Asian nation seeks to consolidate in the region in the short-term.
The third round of negotiations to conclude the trade agreement between the Central American country and the Asian nation began in Panama City. This session will deal with trade barriers, customs procedures and trade facilitation.
From October 1 to 3, Guatemala will be hosting a Conference on Free Zones of the Americas, where topics such as the potential and benefits of companies in the sector will be discussed.
From a statement issued by the Association of Free Zones of the Americas:
Guatemala, September 19, 2018.- The Association of Free Zones of the Americas - AZFA - together with the Santo Tomas de Castilla Free Zone, Chamber of Industry, Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Economy, presented the twenty-second Conference for Free Zones of the Americas to be held from October 1 to 3 at Hotel Casa Santo Domingo, in Antigua Guatemala.
The union is made up of 50 Salvadoran companies, and aims to promote opportunities for commercial exchange with companies in the European country.
Last week the Bilateral Chamber of Commerce of the Netherlands in Central America (NETHCHAM) was inaugurated, which will mainly seek to increase exports from El Salvador to the Netherlands.
As part of the ExpoMueble 2018 event, Central American furniture manufacturers and distributors are being called upon to take part in the business conferences scheduled to take place from July 26 to 29, in Guatemala City.
The Guatemalan Exporters Agency reported that in the 2018 edition, more than 100 exhibitors from furniture chains and Guatemalan boutiques will take part, having the opportunity to promote their products to the more than 15,000 people who will be visiting the exhibition floor.
The market for fresh fruits and vegetables in this European country amounts to $25 billion, mostly in fruits, while processed vegetables amount to just over $4 billion.
From a report by Procomer Costa Rica entitled "Opportunities for marketing fresh and processed fruits and vegetables in Italy":
The fresh fruit and vegetable market in Italy is USD 25,071 mn, mostly fruit (68%), and the processed market is USD 4,272 mn in 2017.Both have opportunities to supply the food industry and, specifically the fresh ones, to enter the retail trade in the Italian off-season and with exotic products.
Between the 4th and 8th of June a business roundtable is being organized for companies in the sectors of packaging, food and beverages, and tourism, among others.
The Secretariat of Central American Economic Integration (SIECA) is inviting companies to take part in the so-called "Virtual Business Conference of Central America Exports" in which companies from the following sectors will participate:
At the agro-food fair to be held in San Pedro Sula, more than 3,000 people are expected to take part and it is thought that $50 million will be raised in 2,000 business appointments.
The Agromercados fair, which will take place on May 17 and 18 in San Pedro Sula, will include the participation of 300 exhibiting companies and another 500 visitors to the event.