In Panama everything is growing in line with the economy, and consumption of products for building, decorating and furnishing are no exception.
Local businesses as Cochez, Doit Center and Novey are taking full advantage of the extraordinary opportunities presented by the development and construction boom in Panama.
Their product range includes bricks, paint, appliances, tools, materials for electricity, bathrooms, accessories and garden products.
The export of furniture and wood products from Guatemala shows a growth of 25% from January to March 2012.
An improved U.S. economy is proving positive for the timber sector in Guatemala. The growth of exports from January to March 2012, is equivalent to $21 million.
"Ivar Pérez, Executive at the Furniture Manufacturers Committee (Cofama) of the Guatemalan Exporters' Guild and president of Muebles Sinai, agreed that the reactivation of the U.S.
The Social Security Department will carry out renovation work on infrastructure and equipment of operating rooms, for some $14 million.
An investment of $13.8 million in the San Juan de Dios Hospital in the capital will include the renovation of the 15 operating rooms the institution has. Work will begin in April and May and should be completed within one year, said the director of the Hospital, Hilda Oreamuno.
The base price established in the tender was $2.3 million and the selected firm must provide 2,500 seats and 13 display counters.
The administrators of Tocumen SA have resumed the bidding process for the purchase of chairs and furniture for the northern terminal at Tocumen International Airport, reported Prensa.com.
This process was suspended for two months because 9 of the 10 companies interested in participating requested that the administrator of the international airport give more time to so that they could meet the specification requirements.
The Expo-Decore mall, due to open in November, will have an area of more than 24,000 m2 and will be dedicated to all aspects of home decoration and furnishings.
The architect Roberto Roesch, real estate developer of Expo-Decore, said the mall will be ready in November and will cover more than 24,000 m2 of commercial space on nine hectares of land, with a further 6,000m2 to be added during the second phase of construction, reads an article on Elperiodico.com.gt.
The business sector reported sales of $80 million in 2011, mainly of furniture.
Businessmen dealing in wood and furniture at the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) reported sales of $80.46 million in 2011.
The figure represents 16.35% more than in 2010, when sales totaled $69.15 million reported PrensaLibre.com.
By items, the highest percentage of exports in 2011 were of furniture, with $22.3 million, followed by lumber, with $ 21.9 million, doors, with $10.25 million, and pallets, with $7.2 million.
The Panamanian National Vocational Training Institute has put out to tender the management of a training center for workers in the Panama Pacifico special area.
According to the specifications, the authorities want to open a training center for INADEH workers in the Panama Pacific area. It includes design, modifications, acquisition of furniture and equipment, teacher training, technology transfer and implementation.
The administration of the airport terminal has suspended the tender planned for the 30 November for the acquisition of equipment for the north terminal.
In light of complaints presented by 10 of the 11 companies interested in participating, the administration has decided to postpone the creation of the tender so that it can review the wording of the conditions and specifications.
Ethan Allen Interiors has acquired a 164 thousand square foot manufacturing plant in Honduras.
The US–based company has decided to supplement its existing operations in Vermont, New Jersey, North Carolina and Mexico with the opening of a new factory in Honduras, which will supply the subsidiaries.
The company made the decision to invest in Honduras with the support of the country’s investment promotion agency, which helped the company in the process of evaluating the country as an investment destination.
Foreign sales of wood products up to July increased by $718 million, equivalent to 19.8%.
Data from the Bank of Guatemala indicates that total exports for July amounted to $4,347 million.
The main markets for Guatemalan furniture are Central America, the United States and Europe.
The president of the Furniture Manufacturers Committee and Forest Products (COFAM) of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport), Carlos Porras, told Siglo21.com.gt that "... the increase is due to two factors: one is that product demand has increased and the other is projections of a more dynamic economy. "
Exporters hope to do $8 million worth of business at the furniture fair which starts on Tuesday August 2.
Next month sees the start of the Expomueble event, which brings together the leading exporters of wood products in the country, where year after year important negotiations have been finalised.
Representatives from the industry expect that this year will be no exception, and believe that deals close to $8 million will be struck.
Representatives from the American company Allen Global Inc. have expressed interest in installing a factory in the Industrial Park Free Zone.
Company representatives said that setting up a factory there would generate 400 direct jobs.
An article in El Heraldo online quotes "We are interested in learning about the port facilities and fiscal measures, including everything that has to do with the benefits of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Law, said Corey Whitely the vice president of corporate affairs at Ethan Allen Global Inc."
The public registry office is putting out for tender the construction, furnishing and equipment of the third floor of its headquarters.
The project consists of remodeling and addition of offices, and modernizing and improving the existing building systems in the public registry of Panama, located in the building of the same name in Vía España, district of San Francisco, Panama City, province of Panama.