Exports from the Costa Rican textile sector increased from $126 million in 2017 to $136 million last year, a behavior explained by sales of yarns and vinyl.
According to data from the Foreign Trade Promoter (Procomer) of textile and apparel exports, the year-on-year increase of 8% recorded in 2018 represents a slight recovery, since between 2014 and 2017 a downward trend was reported.
In an industry fair to be held in May in Guatemala, organizers expect to generate around $700 million in trade deals.
The Apparel Sourcing Show will be held in Guatemala on the days from the 15th to the 17th of next month. This costume and textiles fair will be backed by buyers and suppliers from Brazil, Spain, Turkey, the USA and China.
The governments agreed to improve market access conditions for tires, sanitary ware and certain textile products, and to update the rules of origin for active liquid preparations or creams for washing skin, and medical devices.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica:
San José, November 30, 2017. Authorities at the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia held a second meeting of the Free Trade Commission, the body in charge of the administration of the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries since August 2016.The Costa Rican delegation was headed by Vice Minister Jhon Fonseca, while that of Colombia was led by Vice Minister Olga Lozano Ferro.
On September 27, 16 European companies will be meeting with local entrepreneurs to explore business opportunities.
The companies that will be visiting the country will be presenting products from the food industry such as wheat flour, energy drinks, chocolates and pastries.
Crhoy.com reports that "... 'There will also be general cleaning products.
This is good news for Central American textile manufacturers. We will have to wait and see what other protectionist measures will be implemented by President Trump.
The possibility that the United States buys textiles from Vietnam at lower prices than those paid by textile manufacturers in Central America seems to have now disappeared, however, in order to measure the true impact of the Trump protectionist policy on trade between US business and the region we will have to wait to see what other decisions on international trade deals are take by the new administration.
If the United States withdraws from the Transpacific Agreement, there will be less risk of competition from Asian countries for the Central American textile industry.
If the US does eventually abandon the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), as promised by President-elect Donald Trump, the Central American textile industry could benefit from the elimination of the possibility that the US, its main market, will buy textiles from Vietnam at lower prices.Since the start of negotiations for the TPP, the Central American textile industry has tried to negotiate bilaterally with the US in order to minimize the negative effects that the TPP could have on the industry in the region.
Coffee, textiles, clothing accessories and leather are some of the products that have opportunities for being sold in the European country.
In addition to traditional products such as coffee, textiles, leather and accessories, representatives of the Franco-Nicaraguan Chamber of Commerce identified opportunities in the French market for other non-traditional export products such as chia.In 2015 the country exported $32 million worth to the European country and imported goods worth $110 million, according to central bank figures.
High potential for online shopping in China has brought up opportunities for segments such as bathing suits, where 60% are imported products.
From a statement issued by PROCOMER:
Japan is one of the main entry points to the Asian region and is also a fashion leader, an industry worth approximately $110,000 million. According to a report by ProColombia, Japan imports more than 60% of its swimsuits and it was also found that consumers pay higher prices for these products, making it an attractive market to service.
A group of 30 companies which design and manufacture clothing and footwear have come together to improve their position internationally and look for more business opportunities.
The objective of this new group is to promote and position Costa Rican design internationally, by giving it an identity, working together with the Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER).
On August 11th and 12th 10 Indian companies will be exhibiting their products to local companies interested in forging business alliances.
The participating companies are mostly in the sectors of textiles, clothing for both children and women as nightwear, sheets and all types of fabrics and textiles.
The Indian companies that will be taking part in the event organized by the Chamber of Importers on August 11 are Bhumi International, Manjeet Engg Works, Sun World Trade Linkers, Naresh Enterprises and Tanindera International, while on Wednesday 12 those taking part are Juvan Jyoti Over Seas, Multi Trade Impex, R.S. International, Greezly Enterprises and Rahul Handicraft
On March 12nd Colombian entrepreneurs in the textile and clothing sector will be gathering in San Jose with Central American companies interested in offering products from the South American country.
It is expected that 70 Colombian entrepreneurs will take part in the event, to be held at the Hotel Real Intercontinental Multiplaza Mall, presenting their textile products to the Central American market.
Foreign sales of electronics and the electrical sector fell by 19%, 3.6% in the food industry, 2.4% in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, 9.2% in textiles, 7% in paper and cardboard, and 1.8% in rubber.
At the end of 2014 exports from the industrial sector amounted to $8.389 million representing $382 million less than in 2013, when revenues were $8.771 billion.
Nicaraguan businessmen have proposed that Central America as a whole operates a preferential tariff treatment in the US for imports of textiles in the region.
After trying to negotiate, through several formats, tariff preference levels (TPL), so far unsuccessfully, textile entrepreneurs are now appealing to the union of the region to address the issue with the US once again.
Analysis of the impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership on the region.
The competition which sectors such as textiles could face is one of the elements raising questions among employers in the region, compared to the real benefits that could be accrued if Central America participates in the Strategic Economic Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).
The presence of direct competitors, such as countries like Vietnam, in the textile sector, and the possibility of losing dominance in the American market due to trade rules that TPP countries must meet, is unsettling the productive sectors in the region and forcing a reckoning of the pros and cons of a possible entry to the block to be undertaken.
Central America's direct competitor in the market is using the TLC it has with the northern country to increase sales of agricultural products, textiles and other manufactured goods.
The reduction in sales of Colombian oil to the United States is forcing the South American country to diversify its exports to the North American market, where positioning has been improved mainly of agricultural products such as fruits and seeds and manufactured goods such as textiles and apparel.