Analyzing the economic and financial situation of the company, implementing a resistance plan, identifying what products customers need and what opportunities can be exploited in this context, are some of the tips for businesses in the new and complex reality.
In response to the arrival of the covid-19 virus in the region, Central American economies have taken different measures, in scenarios ranging from severe mobility restrictions, as in Guatemala or Honduras, to others that are less strict but equally negative for economic activity, as in Costa Rica.
Recruiting the best staff to operate the points of sale and reducing the costs of the initial investments to set up a franchise are some of the challenges faced by franchisers, who expect better sales in 2020.
Access to financing, containment of operating costs, and maintaining profitability levels are other issues of concern to franchisors in Guatemala.
Salvadoran industrialists claim that with the presidential veto of the administrative simplification law, the country has lost a valuable opportunity to improve the already deteriorated business climate.
EDITORIAL
With the veto of the Administrative Simplification Act, the Salvadoran government is sending a clear message to the business community and to society in general: There is no interest in paving the way for the private sector to generate more jobs and, consequently, more wealth and socioeconomic development.
On November 12 Korean companies interested in the plastic sectors, renewable energy, construction and general industry will be meeting with Guatemalan businessmen.
The business conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Guatemala City and which include the participation of the companies Dongshin Hydraulics, Dae Jin Engineering, Dass Tech Industrial Greensolution and Soolim, among others.
Following revelations about corruption at the highest level and the processing of those involved, it is unlikely that an official will request bribe money from a businessman.
EDITORIAL
Some analysts are concerned about the effect of allegations of corruption in Guatemala, noting that it will increase mistrust and the instability in economic activity, which could even have a negative effect because of the greater weight of the Guatemalan economy in Central America, over other countries in the region.
From August 18th to 20th local and international buyers and sellers from different sectors will be taking part in business meetings in Chiriqui, Panama in order to generate new business alliances.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama:
From August 18th to 20th, 2015
2015 Business Roundtable, promoting competitiveness from Chiriqui
On May 25th and 26th Central American and Japanese businessmen will be gathering together in Guatemala City to discuss business opportunities.
From a statement issued by from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala (Minex):
Welcome to the II Business Forum SICA-JAPAN, "Towards a New Partnership in a Dynamic Global Environment", to be held on 25th and 26th of May 2015, in Guatemala City.
From 6 to 7 May companies and investors in the sector will be in in San José taking part in business meetings and conferences relevant to franchises in the region.
The second edition of the American Franchise Summit will be held at the Hotel Park Inn, Costa Rica and will involve seven international speakers. The event will last two days and is aimed at 150 franchisees and franchisors investors with the aim of promoting business appointments.
On March 18th the first business meetings in the International Fair in David will take place, to which companies from all productive sectors are invited to participate.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Chiriqui:
The International Fair in David and the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Chiriqui are inviting participation in the first Business Roundtable, exclusively for exhibitors in the exhibition event, from Wednesday March 18, 2015 to be held in the Diplomatic Room Rafael Galan from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Between October 28th and 30th, Guatemala City will host a meeting between businessmen from various productive sectors in Spain and representatives from Central American companies.
This multilateral meeting aims to find business opportunities in the energy industry, transport, water and real estate development, among others.
Exporters from the sectors related to food, crafts, plastics, cosmetics and others will be taking a business trip to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic from 17 to 22 November.
From a statement issued by the Guatemalan Exporters Association (AGEXPORT):
In order to prepare for the upcoming trade mission being held at San Juan, Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, 13 businesses took part in an Introductory Seminar for the Caribbean Mission on October 7, in order to find out about the potential in this market.
On September 25th - 28th Chinese companies will be showcasing their products in Guatemala City and taking part in business meetings with local companies.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy of Guatemala:
INVESTORS AND BUSINESS OFFICES OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA VISIT GUATEMALA
The Deputy Minister of Investment and Competition of the Ministry of Economy, Claudia Del Aguila, accompanied the Director of Exhibitions of the Chinese Council for the Promotion of International Trade -CCPIT-, Xu Yanbo, in presenting the Fourth China Exhibition 2014 to be held from 25 to 28 September in the Parque de la Industria.
The purchase agreement for 100,000 square feet of leather between Guatemalan and Nicaraguan companies reflects the growth in demand for this product in Guatemala.
The tannery La Fuente, located in Granada, Nicaragua, reported that it has finalized a contract with a Guatemalan company to provide 100,000 square feet of leather and added that they have asked to have a local distributor in order to access the product more directly.
Costa Rica and Guatemala are leading a market in which 300 brands based on this business model already operate, 125 of which are native to the region.
Of the 300 franchises existing in the region, 125 were created by Central American companies that have adopted this business model, becoming the fourth largest market for international franchise in Latin America.
The event to be held on May 14 in San Jose, Costa Rica, will focus on analyzing the different franchise models implemented in the region and elsewhere.
From a press release issued by the Costa Rican National Franchise Center:
The activity will form a space for awareness of this model both nationally and internationally.
The best experts in the world of franchises will meet in Costa Rica at the the I Central American Franchise Summit which aims to promote this model both nationally and internationally.