According to IMF forecasts, Panama and El Salvador are the economies that in 2020 will report the worst falls in their production, while Guatemala would be the country in the region that would emerge best from this economic and health crisis.
Due to the severe economic crisis generated by the covid-19 outbreak, the economic growth projections calculated by international organizations are not at all encouraging for Central America.
For the entity, "growth has been accelerating since mid-2018 after three years of weak performance," and a variation of 3.4% of GDP is expected for 2019.
Backed by a positive fiscal boost, the recovery of exports after last year's decline resulting from a deterioration in the terms of trade, and the dynamism of private investment. Growth would peak at 3.7% in 2021, before converging towards the potential rate of 3.5% by 2024, the International Monetary Fund reported after its last visit to the country.
In 2018, the construction sector in Guatemala registered a nearly 4% growth, which reinforces the upward trend that has been reported since 2011.
Data from the Guatemalan Chamber of Construction (CGC) detail that from 2011 the sector has reported growth rates, reaching its highest level in 2014 when the recorded increase was 4.4%.
The Bank of Guatemala expects next year's economic growth to be better than in 2018, which would be caused by higher public spending and the growth of family remittances.
Authorities of the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat) informed that the Guatemalan economy will close 2018 with a nearly 3% growth, however, for next year is expected that the increase in GDP will be in the range between 3% and 3.8%.
The union of industrialists projects that the economy will grow by 6% this year and has raised concern over the fall in manufacturing activity.
From a statement issued by the Union of Industrialists in Panama:
Panama will continue to lead economic growth in Latin America and it is estimated that it could close 2015 at 5.8%; while for 2016 the amount projected is 6%.
In Nicaragua the average wage grew by 3.8% in the first quarter of 2015: Low wages are a big advantage in attracting investments which drive economic development and increasing salaries...
The salary of formal workers in Nicaragua went from $312 in December 2014 to $324 in March this year, an average between the highest and lowest according to the economic sector concerned.
The registration of professional responsibility for construction plans increased by 8% compared to the previous year, though total figures are still below the pre-2008 crisis numbers.
The commercial sector recorded 1.5 million square meters of construction being processed nationwide, with the areas of Escazu, Santa Ana and Belen reporting the highest number of procedures.
In 2014 the port system showed better results than in 2013, with the mobilization of 90,000 TEUs, with the Port of Balboa recording the largest increase, of 5.6%.
The five ports that make up the Panamanian port system moved about 6.7 million TEUs at the end of 2014, an increase of 2.9% compared to 2013, when 6.5 million TEUs were mobilized. On average, during 2014, 500 thousand containers of 20 feet were moved per month.
There is a growing trend in appliances stores and department stores to set up large format stores offering a better buying experience with "everything in one place."
This format allows to the diversification and expansion of the supply of products mainly in middle and upper middle income levels, especially in areas with high population density, which allows consumers to buy more conveniently and for stores to generate more revenue.
The dynamism and growth of the past two years is being maintained with the arrival of new competitors in a market which already totals 143 outlets in the Greater Metropolitan Area of Costa Rica.
Added to well-known brands such as Fresh Market, AM PM and Vindi, all using the convenience store format, there are now local bakeries from the Musmanni chain, branded Musmanni Super Mini, owned by Florida Ice and Farm.
The increase in production to 24,500 tons and rising international prices took revenues from this category from $74 million to $150 million in three years.
In the last ten years Nicaragua has made progress in the modernization of production of farmed shrimp and improved the processes of industrialization, reaching a production of 24,500 tons in 2013. It is currently the second largest Central American producer, second only to Honduras which produced 28,900 tons in 2013.
In May the consumer price index rose by 0.53%, with food and non-alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and various service groups having the largest increases.
From a statement by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC)
The National Institute of Statistics and Census reports on the main results of the Consumer Price Index for the month of April 2014.
The economy grew by 4.6% in 2013, driven by private consumption, exports and government spending.
The greater optimism envisioned by entrepreneurs for the future of the economy validates the results achieved in 2013, according to the Economic Situation report by the Foundation for Economic and Social Development (Funides).
Funides report:
The economy grew for the third consecutive year at high rates.
The country's economic growth is attracting new companies looking for space in a market that expects to sell over 15,000 new cars in 2014.
Automotive companies are planning significant investments in order to meet demand from Nicaraguan customers. Grupo Q will invest $12 million in 2014 mainly in infrastructure.
The Nicaraguan Association of Motor Vehicle Dealers (Andiva) has stated that "the goal is 15,225 units this year in sales from the distributors that make up the Nicaraguan Association of Motor Vehicle Dealers (Andiva)."
Beverage Industry Digital Magazine established in 1942, the oldest Spanish trade journal and the only beverage trade magazine serving the Latin American beverage market. It serves soft drink bottlers, brewers, bottled water...