For the local export sector, strategies focused on transforming the productive matrix are needed, so that in the next 20 years’ income from sales abroad will reach $18 billion annually.
According to figures revealed by Nicaraguan exporters, between 2018 and 2019 income from sales abroad increased 6%, growing from $2,617 million to $2,782 million. This increase occurred in a context of falling production.
During 2018, sales of packaged foods in the United Kingdom exceeded $84 billion, and 36% corresponded to private label products, which have quickly entered this market.
The study "Trends and requirements of private label buyers in the food sector in the United Kingdom", prepared by Procomer Costa Rica, indicates that the United Kingdom stands out as the second country in Europe with greater penetration of private label.
Guatemalan exporters report that President Trump's warning about export tariffs and taxes on remittances and transfers is raising doubts among U.S. buyers.
Uncertainty prevails among most Guatemalan businessmen after President Trump reacted to the provisional protection established by the Guatemalan Constitutional Court, which limits the functions of the Executive Branch to negotiate or sign any foreign policy agreement.
With the approval of the tax reform, in Nicaragua the period for exporting companies to transfer the tax credit to the producer or manufacturer was reduced from three to two months.
At the end of February, the National Assembly approved the amendment to the Tax Concertation Law, which increases from 1% to 3% the income tax of large taxpayers and also shortens the deadline for exporters to transfer the tax credit to producers, which is 1.5% on the value of FOB exports.
The complex economic and political situation that has affected Nicaragua since April continues to affect Central America, where exporters report losses of $45 million.
In the past months, cargo transport faced difficulties in moving goods along Nicaragua's highways due to demonstrators' blockades and insecurity, seriously affecting Central American companies.
As part of the Buyers Trade Mission, from 25 to 27 September, 500 Costa Rican exporters will be meeting with 300 entrepreneurs from 50 countries.
The Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer), the institution in charge of organizing the event, reported that this year it foresees holding 5,300 business appointments at the event, which will take place at the Costa Rica Convention Center, in Barreal de Heredia.
On September 1 and 2 Nicaraguan exporters from various sectors will be exhibiting their merchandise in Managua and taking part in business rounds with international buyers.
The Nicaraguan exporters' union is inviting local and international businessmen to take part in business rounds within the framework of the ExpoApen 2017 exhibition.
A virtual seminar has been organized for April 5, on recommendations to negotiate with Indian companies and best practices for exporting to that market.
From a statement issued by PROCOMER:
ConnectAmericas, anonlineplatformcreated by the Inter - American Development Bank (IDB) with support from Google, DHL, Visa and Alibaba will be holding afreewebinaron essential tips for doing business in India, on April 6 at 10:00 am, in which best practices for entering the Indian market will be explored and useful guidelines will be provided for the export process.
Falling short of the the amount achieved in 2015, $42 million worth of deals were negotiated in purchase intentions of products such as honey, fresh fruits, processed foods, seafood, vegetables and meat.
Although the goal of the union of Nicaraguan exporters was more than $48 million traded in the 2015 edition of the trade fair, they did manage to achieve $42 million in two days of activity, which was attended by 64 international buyers from the United States, Canada, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Brazil, Spain and Puerto Rico.
A free webinar has been organized for September 8 which will address the basic guidelines for exporters to sell in the South American country.
The webinar organized by the Inter-American Development Bank will be held on Thursday, September 8 at 10 am (Central American time), through the ConnectAmericas platform.
It will address best practices for export to Brazil, including basic guidelines for exporting to this market, including the role of customs, major regulatory agencies and import requirements.
In order to speed up timeframes and procedures, employers have asked that the requirement be eliminated or that the the timeframe, currently one month, be extended to at least one year.
In Central America, only authorities in Nicaragua are demanding compliance with fiscal solvency, which directly affects the competitiveness of local exporters against the rest of the region.
In the trade fair deals were struck worth at least $48 million between exporters and buyers interested in tubers, meat, grains and seeds.
Although it is a preliminary figure, representatives from the Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua (APEN) anticipate that the results of this fair will exceed those achieved in the 2014 edition, when businesses deals were made worth $42 million.
In the last two years Guatemala has doubled its exports of biscuits, sweets, chewing gum, confectionery, and preparations for soup and drinks going to the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
In the first half of this year sales by the food industry to Caribbean countries topped $20 billion, $13 billion more than in the same period in 2013.
On September 25th and 26th Nicaraguan exporters from various sectors will be taking part in an exhibition in Managua showcasing their goods and holding face to face and virtual business meetings.
From a statement by the Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua:
Some 1,800 businesses face to face meetings and an unspecified amount of virtual ones carried out online, is part of the greatest achievements sought by the fair EXPOAPEN 2015, which this year is celebrating its fifteenth edition.
From September 2nd to 4th melon and watermelon exporters from Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean will be gathering together in Panama City to discuss issues related to marketing strategies and trade agreements.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Panama:
This Congress will be held from 2nd to 4th of September from 9 a.m.