President Laurentino Cortizo sanctioned the law that creates the National Authority for the Attraction of Investments and Promotion of Exports of Panama, an institution whose objective is to attract foreign investment to the country.
The law establishes the legal framework for the Investment Attraction and Export Promotion Agency (ProPanama) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be elevated to an Authority, to give it greater sustainability and to execute, in a strategic and channeled manner, the different public-private efforts to attract investments and support the promotion of exports, informed the Presidency.
Because of the economic crisis, Foreign Direct Investment flows have practically vanished, and in order to attract the few investments that are projected for next year, countries are expected to compete by offering incentives and aid programs for businesses.
The covid-19 outbreak dissipated the investment intentions of companies globally. At the beginning of the fourth quarter of the year, there are signs that business confidence has begun to recover; however, pessimism among investors is expected to continue next year.
From January to September 2019, the country received $671 million in foreign direct investment, 6% more than in the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Bank of Guatemala show that between the first nine months of 2018 and the same period in 2019, foreign direct investment (FDI) that reached the country increased by $39 million, from $671 million to $632 million.
Between the first semester of 2018 and the same period of 2019, the flows of Foreign Direct Investment reaching the country decreased by 25%, a decrease that is explained by the uncertainty that predominates among businessmen, derived from the political and economic crisis.
According to official figures, from January to June of this year the country received $364 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which is less than the $483 million received in the first six months of 2018.
In Guatemala, businessmen are asking the incoming government to create a public policy on foreign investment that incorporates issues such as fair and equitable treatment of investments, the minimum standard of treatment and the definition of arbitrariness.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country is not having its best moment, as figures from the Bank of Guatemala indicate that in 2018 the flow captured was $1.031 million, 12% less than the $1.170 million reported in 2017. See official data.
Panama and Honduras were the only two Central American countries to report increases in foreign direct investment in 2018 over the previous year, with year-on-year changes of 36% and 3%, respectively.
The growth of investments directed to Panama, which concentrated 51% of the sub-regional total, explained the increase that was reached in 2018 in Central America (9.4%), since except Panama and Honduras, the Central American countries received less Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) than in 2017, explains the report "Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean 2019", produced by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
Because of higher dividend repatriation and lower reinvestment of earnings, Foreign Direct Investment flows reported during the first quarter of the year totaled $177 million, 55% less than in the same period in 2018.
Central Reserve Bank (BCR) figures detail that between January and March 2018, and the same period in 2019, the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was reduced by $224 million, falling from $401 million to $177 million.
During 2018, Guatemala received $1.175 million in FDI, barely 0.5% more than the investment reported in 2017, mainly because of the political and legal uncertainty that ruled the country.
Figures from the Banco de Guatemala (Banguat) report that in the last five years, the country has gained $6,139 million in foreign direct investment (FDI), being 2014 the one that registered the highest year-on-year increase when reporting a 7% rate regarding 2013.
A delegation of companies from the Mexican state of Jalisco has expressed interest in investing in sectors such as textiles, agriculture, services and construction.
After the visit to Honduras, the businessmen reported that in the next few years they intend to invest between $20 million and $100 million.
Miguel Landero, president of the Mexican Council of Foreign Trade, explained to Laprensa.hn that "... there is a lot of interest in investing in the country ...'In direct foreign investment we could be talking about an intention of $20 million to $100 million, just to start with'."
The 2017-2018 Guide by the Nicaraguan - German chamber of commerce provides details on tax exemption regimes by sector, requirements for foreign investors and other data.
From a statement issued by ProNicaragua:
Under a joint effort between the Government of Nicaragua through PRONicaragua, the official investment promotion agency of Nicaragua, the Ministry of Development, Industry and Commerce (MIFIC), in coordination with the Chamber of Industry and Nicaraguan Trade (AHK) by its acronym in German), the third edition of the Investor's Guide in Nicaragua 2017-2018 / Leitfaden für Investitionen 2017-2018, was presented yesterday, February 27, in the Spanish and German languages.
From March 28th to 30th potential international investors will learn about public and private projects in infrastructure, tourism, energy and industrial development.
From a statement issued by Proesa El Salvador:
The country will open the first International Investment Forum El Salvador 2017 and present the Country Brand for El Salvador on March 28, reported officials this morning from the Agency for Promoting Export and Investment in El Salvador (PROESA), during a press conference.
Before the end of the year a government agreement could be ready which would unify the various departments for promoting investment as well as the creation of the Guatemala Trade and Investment entity.
Prensalibre.com reports that "...Rubén Morales, economy minister, said the goal is to manage this body through an executive committee made up of representatives from the public and private sectors, and which would be chaired by the Minister of Economy."
The Government aims to create Proguate, an entity that will focus on attracting foreign investment and implementing a competitiveness strategy.
The Guatemalan government aims to create an agency to promote investment in the country. Proguate will focus on designing a brand for the country in order to attract foreign investment and implement a competitiveness strategy.
A review by the OECD of Costa Rica's investment policy points out success and includes recommendations to improve critical aspects.
A statement from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reads:
Costa Rica signs OECD agreement to boost investment
Costa Rica has now become the 45th country to join the international investment instrument of the OECD, aimed at helping the country attract more and better foreign investment and promote responsible business conduct.