The Salvadoran business sector is calling for a reversal of the more rigid restriction measures implemented by the Bukele administration since May 7, arguing that the ban on public transport units has generated chaos.
After two years of non-operation, El Salvador's government and business associations agreed to reactivate the institution dedicated to decision-making on customs matters and trade agreements.
The private sector was represented by the Presidents and Executive Directors of the guilds ASI, COEXPORT, CAMARASAL, CAMAGRO, AMCHAM, CAMTEX and ADES, which are part of the Inter-union Commission for Trade Facilitation (CIFACIL) and participate with voice and vote within the Committee, informed the Salvadoran government.
The business sector states that the $53 million debt that the government has with the energy distribution company is preventing them from being able to pay generators, jeopardizing supply.
From a statement issued by the Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI):
BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS WARN OF A CRISIS IN THE ELECTRICITY SECTOR IF THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT PAY THE SUBSIDY
Twenty IT companies and more than 80 call centers and outsourcing services centers are operating in the country, seven of which entered the market in 2015.
Details from the Promoter Agency for Export and Investment El Salvador (Proesa) indicate that in 2015 there were seven companies that entered the Distance Business Services sectors (SED as it is known in Spanish), which brings together both companies dedicated to providing customer services and support and information technology.
The American Chamber of Commerce has criticized the award of business to a small group of companies selected by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Companies who were not invited to participate in the committee for the procurement of maize seed implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) doubt the legal framework of the panel as it differs from the normal purchasing process using format of a tender.
While in customs offices the $18 fee is still being charged, those employers affected by it are concerned and are asking for a refund of what they have already paid.
The Chamber of Commerce of El Salvador (CCES) expects the authentic interpretation of the decree exempting the charge for the service of non-intrusive inspection of exports and imports and international transit of goods, to be published soon in the Official Journal, as the $18 fee is still being charged at the borders of the country.
With the growing demand for bilingual staff, private organizations and government agencies have created a program entitled "English Training for Call Centers".
The project, by nature public / private, aims to bring some 400 new employees who are bilingual in English / Spanish into the job market .
The growth of the call center industry has been maintained since 2005 at a rate of 29% per annum despite the lack of qualified bilingual staff.
Current business needs do not match up with the supply of professionals nationwide.
Lack of public policies encouraging diversification of careers, and the limited interest of students in non-traditional careers are two of the reasons for the low supply of personnel in the country on offer to companies that come looking for laborers.
Currently in El Salvador students are choosing courses which have little demand from businesses, which leads to frustration when they try, and fail, to find a job.
The American Chamber of Commerce said U.S. companies have stalled projects because of bureaucratic problems or lack of legal certainty.
Carmen Aida Muñoz, the executive director of the Chamber, told the press that a total of 17 companies, one of which is Walmart, are awaiting permits for various projects.
The executive added that most of these companies, who have been waiting for operation permits for almost two years, are call centers, textile producers and agricultural producers.
A private report has analyzed the contribution of the scheme to economic activity.
80 000 direct jobs and more than 2230 thousand dollars in products exported in 2010 are some of the results achieved by companies operating under the free zone system and active improvement scheme in El Salvador.
This is affirmed in the report presented by the Salvadoran private sector, and from it emerges the positive results achieved by the textile and clothing sector, which grew by 26% in 2010 and has become a leading U.S. provider.
A lack of specialist professionals and technicians combined with poor levels of English is making the country less competetive.
Data analyzed from the latest Job Fair organized by El Salvador's Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Ministry for Employment, indicate that attendees qualifications, technical understanding and level of English were often below that sought by hiring companies.
Security costs at Salvadoran companies are on the rise, together with recent increases in crime.
The American Chamber of Commerce of El Salvador (AmCham), showed its concern for the issue, which generates expenses unrelated to the natural cost structure of each activity.
Carmen Aída Muñoz, AmCham's executive director, "called on the government to make a greater effort to fight crime, and to further coordinate those entities in charge of security".
The second Salvadoran trade mission of purchasers and importers will travel to Florida from September 20 to 24.
The mission is organized by the Salvadoran American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham), and the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador, and expects 10 companies to participate.
Cecilia de Avila, commercial assistant at the U.S. Embassy reported to El Mundo newspaper: "...
El Salvador's American Chamber of Commerce and the Latin American Illinois Trade and Investment Office told Salvadoran business people that the US Mid-West, with its 59 million inhabitants, represents a major business opportunity.
The message was delivered at a business conference by Marcelino García, deputy head of the Illinois state trade and investment department.
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