Extortion and theft in shops and transport trucks has led to the closure of many small businesses.
According to Howard Gutierrez, president of the Chamber of Commerce, San Miguel subsidiary, crime is unstoppable and the authorities are not doing enough to curb it. In that subsidiary alone there are reports of 15 businesses having closed.
"They are not only due to extortion, but also of theft to shops and trucks, making things difficult for businessmen, who prefer to shut up shop" he said.
There are too many entities in the field of integration and they do not seem to be working with the speed they should.
The President of FECAMCO (Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Central America), Mario Gonzalez, believes that together with the customs union, key to boosting development in the region, there are other factors to consider, such as legal certainty, investment in technical education and physical security of persons and property.
... governments need to improve planning, house cleaning, organization and coordination of the entities involved in public safety and to analyze exhaustively all possible funding alternatives.
Press release from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of El Salvador:
Chamber requests discussion on alternatives to fund security plan
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of El Salvador, reported:
The proposal to build a fast train to solve transportation problems is considered viable by different sectors.
Rodrigo Avila of the Arena party said they are preparing groundwork for bidding on the fast train project, which will require state and private investment.
Elsalvador.com reports, "According to Avila ... will install a committee made of technicians and experts in the field to discuss financing and infrastructure to kick-start the project. He said the project contemplated a sky train with two lanes, similar to the one at the U.S. city of Miami.”
Salvadoran businesses estimate massive lost earnings due to the strike by bus and coach transport companies.
El Salvador's Chamber of Commerce indicated that the transport strike led to the closure of 40% of businesses in three of the country's largest cities, San Salvador, Santa Ana and San Miguel.
El Nuevodiaro.com.ni reports part of a communication by the business organization: "losses are estimated to be $24 million, representing criminal damage to the economy. Stores have been severely impacted by this strike and the corresponding uncertainty felt by the country. The government has been asked to review the issue since things cannot be allowed to continue like this".
CEPA, the country’s port commission, intended to open the port on April; this date has been pushed forward as the facility is missing some required equipment.
CEPA wants to open the port as soon as possible, as it continues to pay maintenance costs. Inaugurated on January 2009, the port remains closed, generating monthly losses of more than $1 million.
Business will soon pay 38 percent more for electricity in El Salvador. The private sector is negotiating with the government over the stages in which the increase will be applied as the subsidy is gradually eliminated.
El Salvador President Antonio Saca says the difference between the real cost of energy and the amount the privat sector ccurrently pays has widened due to rising energy costs.