Predictive analytics has transformed the real estate industry due to its powerful ability to deliver fast and accurate actionable insights. This has largely come about through the advent of Big Data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) that harness the intrinsic power of real estate data.
Predictive analytics tools take this analysis to the next level to predict future outcomes based on how past and present events occurred. Consumer demographics, housing trends and property price history are some of the areas where predictive analytics represent a huge opportunity for the industry.
Because of the economic crisis, Foreign Direct Investment flows have practically vanished, and in order to attract the few investments that are projected for next year, countries are expected to compete by offering incentives and aid programs for businesses.
The covid-19 outbreak dissipated the investment intentions of companies globally. At the beginning of the fourth quarter of the year, there are signs that business confidence has begun to recover; however, pessimism among investors is expected to continue next year.
In the context of the tense diplomatic and commercial relationship between the two world powers, Central American countries could have the opportunity to attract new investments, as it is estimated that some American companies would need to migrate their operations to the American continent.
As a result of the tension between the two nations, Mauricio Claver-Carone, an advisor to President Trump, believes that U.S.
For the last quarter of 2019, Opticas Visión plans to open five stores to sell visual health products, which will be added to four others already opened by the company this year.
Not giving details of the locations of the new sales outlets that will start operating at the end of the year, company executives explained that they currently have 144 branches throughout the country.
Panama and Honduras were the only two Central American countries to report increases in foreign direct investment in 2018 over the previous year, with year-on-year changes of 36% and 3%, respectively.
The growth of investments directed to Panama, which concentrated 51% of the sub-regional total, explained the increase that was reached in 2018 in Central America (9.4%), since except Panama and Honduras, the Central American countries received less Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) than in 2017, explains the report "Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean 2019", produced by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
Although the goal for this year was to issue $100 million in debt bonds, during the first quarter the Nicaraguan government only awarded $1.1 million, doubting the level of investor confidence.
According to the "Public Debt Report, First Quarter 2019", prepared by the Central Bank of Nicaragua, from January to March regarding Investment Securities in dollars, 1.03 million was issued at an average rate of 5.31% and an average term of 7 months.
The Tiendas Universal chain announced that it plans to open seven sales points dedicated to the commercialization of visual health items, which would begin operating before the end of 2019.
The first point, located in Lincoln Square, was opened to the public on July 24. The other two, which will start operating in the next few days, will be on Central Avenue and Multiplaza in Curridabat.
The latest risk ratings for the issuance of long-term debt of Central American economies identify Panama as the most attractive country to invest in.
On March 8, Moody's decided to raise its long-term issuer rating in foreign currency from Baa2 to Baa1, arguing that the outlook remains more favorable in the medium term.
In 2018, nearly 13,000 new jobs were generated in Costa Rica because of investment in 48 new projects in the service, manufacturing and other productive sectors.
The Costa Rican Coalition of Development Initiatives (CINDE) reported that because of new companies arrived in the country together with investments made by companies already installed, 12,961 new jobs were generated in the sectors of services, digital technologies, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and light manufacturing.
Adverse court decisions against companies, social and political conflicts and fiscal issues are some of the factors that are impeding the development of productive projects in Central American countries.
One of the latest court decisions affecting companies with investments in the region was that of Minera Petaquilla, in Panama. The contract that this company had signed with the Panamanian State was declared unconstitutional last week.
28% of the SMEs in Costa Rica stated that obtaining a municipal permit to start operations was the most complex procedure, while another 17% says that the process of registering with the department of Taxation is the most onerous.
According to theIII National Survey of MSMEs, prepared by the State University at a Distance (UNED) and the University of Costa Rica (UCR), for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) obtaining a municipal patent for operation and registering as a new taxpayer, are the two procedures that most affect the start up of their operations.
One of the decisions taken by Guatemalan businessmen with interests in Nicaragua is to suspend new investments until the situation in the country is normalized.
Due to the social and political situation that the country has been experiencing for more than three months, Guatemalan investors that operate companies in Nicaragua have been analyzing the situation closely, and are already taking measures to minimize the impact of the crisis on businesses. One of the decisions that some companies have taken is to reduce the cost of the operation to the lowest possible level, in order to maintain or reduce product inventories.
Since September 25, foreigners who acquire securities from the local stock market will have to pay 8% tax on the dividends generated.
The differences that had arisen regarding how much and in what form the tax on dividends generated from investments made by foreigners in securities on the local stock market should be collected, have been resolved, and the Ministry of Finance confirmed that the tax will be collected from September 25th.
The chain International House of Pancakes IHOP is looking for partners to open at least ten locations in Costa Rica.
Representatives from the US restaurant chain will be visiting Costa Rica in the next few days to meet with potential investors interested in developing the franchise in the country.The objective of the brand, already present in Panama, is to open at least ten premises.
A 15% tax, charged by the Treasury on income from interest generated on foreign investments in securities in the local market, has been described as incorrect.
A ruling by the Attorney General of the Republic indicates the charge of 15% by the Treasury on interest earned by foreigners on their investments in securities in the local stock market is incorrect and it should be 8%, as is charged to local investors.