Following the approval of the legal framework that recognizes Bitcoin as a legal tender in El Salvador, one out of two local businessmen are concerned that the circulation of the cryptocurrency is mandatory and one out of three are distrustful of this change in the laws.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of El Salvador carried out a survey among its members, businessmen in general and citizen consumers to know the expectations of the productive sector regarding the implementation of the cryptocurrency.
In the I Quarter of 2021, 58% of businessmen reported stability in employment, while 36% reported better economic conditions compared to the same period in 2020.
The I Business Perception Survey 2021, conducted by the Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (CACIF), indicates that 36% of the executives consulted, confirmed a recovery in their sales in the first quarter of the year, with a growth of up to 20% compared to the first quarter of 2020.
After in 2020 most franchises operating in the country reported declines in their operations because of the pandemic, expectations for 2021 is to overcome the losses and in some cases grow.
According to the report "Prospects for 2021 and the situation of franchises in Guatemala and Central America" prepared by the Guatemalan Franchise Association (AGF), in the country in the current context four out of 10 companies have closed between 1% and 10% of their franchise units or establishments.
After reporting a 2% drop in October from the previous month, in November the Economic Activity Confidence Index continued to decline, registering a 6% decrease.
The Panel forecasts an inflationary rhythm of 4.91% for November, 4.75% for December 2020 and 4.60% for January 2021, according to the Bank of Guatemala's report.
During February in Honduras, the Economic Activity Confidence Index registered a 15% increase compared to that reported in January 2020.
The informants said that the main macroeconomic variables are within the current Monetary Program, highlighting the strength of the U.S. economy and its effect on Honduras, mainly in attracting family remittances, explains the Central Bank report.
In February 2020, the Index of Confidence in Economic Activity in Guatemala reported a 64% growth compared to the same month last year, reinforcing the upward trend that has been registered since July 2019.
Businessmen forecast an inflationary rhythm of 3.25% for February, 3.36% for March and 3.38% for April 2020. As to December 2020 and 2021, the Panel forecasts an inflationary rhythm of 4.16% and 4.20%, in that order.
Alejandro Giammattei, Guatemala's new president, is hosting a country with weak institutions, legal uncertainty and a business sector that is asking for a less "hostile" environment for new investments.
A few days before the new government takes office in Guatemala, the Economic Activity Confidence Index reported a 21% year-on-year growth.
Figures from the Bank of Guatemala indicate that in December 2019 the country's Confidence in Economic Activity Index (Icae) reported a considerable increase compared to the same month in 2018, a performance that reinforces the upward trend it has been registering since July last year.
The electoral triumph of Alejandro Giammattei and the appointments he is making in his cabinet to assume next January 14, are the main reasons that explain the upturn that has had business confidence since July.
In November of this year, the Index of Confidence in Economic Activity in Guatemala reported a 28% growth with respect to the same month in 2018, reinforcing the upward trend that has been registered since July 2019.
Businessmen forecast an inflationary rhythm of 3.34% and 3.54% for November and December 2019, respectively, as well as 3.69% for January 2020.
Between the third and fourth quarters of the year, the Global Expectations Index reported a 6% increase in Costa Rica, but still remains in pessimistic territory.
The expectations index improved in all sectors during the fourth quarter, with the services and manufacturing indexes strengthening the most compared to three months ago. Manufacturing and trade activities surpass the pessimistic terrain in which they were the previous quarter, reported the University of Costa Rica (UCR).
In the third quarter of the year, the Business Climate Index dropped 8% with respect to what was reported from April to June 2019.
The Business Climate Index fell from 61.7 in April-June 2019 to 57.3 in July-September 2019. This decrease was because of a drop in the balance of opinion of businessmen on the Dominican economy, the international, the branch and the climate for investment, explains the report of the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD).
For the IMF, the Salvadoran authorities are dealing firmly with crime and corruption and are beginning to improve the business environment in order to support economic growth.
In 2019, real GDP growth is expected to be 2.5% as a result of the solid confidence of the business sector, reported the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after its visit to El Salvador.
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.
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.
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