In Guatemala, the hardware industry is expecting its sales to grow 20% this year, mainly explained by the good performance it has reported so far in 2019.
According to projections of the Banco de Guatemala (Banguat), updated to September 2019, it is forecast that at the close of this year the construction sector will grow by 5.8%, a rise that would be explained by more flexible procedures in the processing of permits.
In a context in which the creation of digital records is increasing, investment in data analysis, technology and personnel becomes fundamental and essential to ensure the best possible performance in companies.
Advanced Analytics (AA), which can be executed from data from digital platforms, wireless sensors and millions of mobile phones, is transforming competition across multiple sectors by generating opportunities to capture value from improved decision making and comprehensive business transformation.
In October of this year the Index of Confidence in Economic Activity in Guatemala reported an 18% growth with respect to the same month in 2018, reinforcing the upward trend that has been registered since July 2019.
Entrepreneurs forecast an inflation rate of 3.50% for October, 3.81% for November and 3.94% for December 2019. For December 2020 and 2021, the Panel foresees an inflationary rhythm of 4.32% and 4.28%, in that order, reported the Banco de Guatemala.
Fitch Ratings kept in B+ with a negative outlook, the sovereign debt rating, arguing that "the weaknesses in public finances are reflected and the political stagnation has prevented the timely approval of reforms that address these problems."
The new fiscal rule has not been approved, and the Congressional authorization requirement for foreign loans periodically restricts Costa Rica's financial flexibility, is another of the risk qualifier's arguments.
Except for Nicaragua, which projects a decline in revenues, Fitch Ratings estimates that by year-end the region's insurance markets will have grown from 3% to 8%.
According to the report Perspectives of Insurance Industry in Central America, prepared by the rating agency Fitch Ratings, El Salvador will be the market that in 2019 will register more dynamism in the region, reporting an 8% increase over revenues reported in 2018.
While a group of manufacturing companies decided to reduce their operations in Costa Rica, arguing that local production costs are high, another group of companies in the sector decided to increase their investments.
According to the most recent official data, during August 2019 the growth of economic activity in the manufacturing sector was 2.5%, explained by increased external demand for products from special regimes companies, particularly medical implements and steel products such as bars and sheets. This contrasts with the decline in manufacturing activities for the domestic market. See report of the Central Bank of Costa Rica.
As part of the new international advertising campaign, the tourism sector in Panama expects visitor arrivals to increase by 125,000 tourists per year, who could generate annual revenues of close to $100 million.
The "Panama Stopover" campaign aims to take advantage of the competitive advantages that the country has, encouraging tourists who are in transit in the country to include in their itinerary an extended stop, which could be up to seven days at no additional cost in the airfare.
Honduran producers estimate that at the end of 2019 the volume traded abroad will register a reduction of six million pounds compared to what was reported in the previous year.
Directors of the National Association of Aquiculturists of Honduras (Andah), explained that one of the factors that has affected the sector are the low prices that are recorded internationally.
Although the economic and political crisis has hit several productive activities in Nicaragua, the dairy sector plans to close 2019 with a 5% increase in sales abroad.
In addition to the crisis that has affected Nicaragua since April 2018, businessmen in the sector identify as obstacles to the growth of their income the commercial obstacles that persist in Honduras and El Salvador, the entry into force of the tax reform and the constant increases in electricity tariffs.
New models, better financing conditions and increased imports of used units would boost the sale of electric vehicles next year in Costa Rica.
Danissa, Q Group, BMW and Laudreni Auto, agencies in the country dedicated to marketing electric vehicles, estimate that between 2019 and 2020 their combined sales will increase by 45%, from 342 to 497 units.
After registering a 6% year-on-year rise in August, in September the Confidence in Economic Activity Index in Guatemala showed a 7% variation.
According to the last report of the Banco de Guatemala, an inflationary rhythm of 4.08% is forecast for September, of 4.22% for October and of 4.29% for November 2019. Regarding December 2019 and 2020, the Panel foresees an inflationary rhythm of 4.43% and 4.46%, in that order, reported the Central Bank of Guatemala.
After reporting falls in previous months, during September 2019 in Honduras the Economic Activity Confidence Index registered a 4% increase with respect to August.
Analysts showed that the main indicators that measure economic performance are positive, they expect that with the proximity of the Morazán Week and the Christmas season the economy will dynamize, informed the Central Bank of Honduras.
Honduran builders estimate that in 2019 the sector could lose about 20,000 jobs, a decline that would be explained by the cut in economic growth projections.
According to reports from the Central Bank of Honduras, production slowed at the end of the first half of 2019, as economic activity in the country grew by 2.5% in June, a year-on-year variation that was lower than the 2.7% recorded in May.
After having recorded a 4% fall in GDP in 2018, the Central Bank authorities forecast that the Nicaraguan economy will begin to recover in the 2020-2021 period.
The gradual abolition of price control, the creation of the PPP regulatory framework and greater flexibility in preferential interests in the housing market are the advances recognized by Panamanian businessmen in the first 100 days of the Cortizo era.