Banco de Guatemala decided to keep the monetary policy rate at 2.75%, arguing that several short-term indicators of the economic activity show a dynamism congruent with the projected range of economic growth.
Other reasons to keep the leading rate without variants is that the prognosis and inflation expectations, for 2019 as well as for 2020, are located within the tolerance limit of the goal (4% +/- 1%), according to the Banco de Guatemala.
In a new attempt to solve the political and economic crisis affecting Nicaragua since April last year, the businessmen proposed to the government to resume negotiations in a "fast, effective and credible" way.
"… We hope that the Government and the Civic Alliance negotiators will carry out the necessary actions reflecting a sincere political will to solve the situation the nation is going through, through a fast, effective and credible negotiation", details a statement signed by businessmen Roberto Zamora, Carlos Pellas, Ramiro Ortiz M., Juan B. Sacasa, and José Antonio Baltodano.
During January 2019, family remittances sent to the country totaled $407 million, almost 6% more than what was reported in the same month of 2018.
According to information from the Central Reserve Bank (BCR), the five main regions receiving family remittances in January 2019 were: San Salvador (20.2% of the country's total remittances), San Miguel (11.8%), La Unión, Santa Ana and La Libertad with 7.9% each.
Because of its strong and stable macroeconomic performance, Fitch confirmed the long-term foreign currency rating at 'BBB', with a stable outlook.
For the risk qualifier, the country's macroeconomic performance has driven a sustained increase in per capita income, and it also forecasts that GDP growth will recover to 5.8% in 2019 and 5.5% in 2020, above countries with similar ratings.
After recording at the end of 2017, a 2.6% year-on-year increase in economic activity, in December last year the IMAE closed a 3.3% increase.
The most recent figures estimated by the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat) specify that between November and December last year, economic activity registered a 5.7% increase.
Because the economy is on the road to rebound after a temporary slowdown, the entity forecasts that in 2019 will register a 6% increase and not 6.3%, as initially planned.
Panama's economic fundamentals remain strong. The economy is on the road to rebounding from the temporary slowdown and will be gradually converging to its potential growth of 5.5% in the medium term, explains the IMF after its last visit to the country.
In the first month of 2019, the country received $402 million in family remittances, 17% more than in January of the previous year.
According to figures from the Central Bank of Honduras, during January of this year the country received family remittances of $402 million, a figure that is $60 million higher than the $342 registered in the same month of 2018.
After the year-on-year variation of the CPI in December 2018 was barely 1.2%, in January of this year the inflationary rhythm in the country dropped to 0.7%.
During the first month of the year, the CPI registered a -0.25% variation, mainly because of the prices of the Recreation and Culture, and Food and non-alcoholic beverages divisions.
The January Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed a 0.25% monthly decrease, year-on-year inflation at 3.3%, while core year-on-year inflation was 3.88%, reported the Central Bank of Nicaragua.
Because of the strong impact of the strike of public employees in the last months of the year, at the end of 2018 economic activity in Costa Rica reported a growth of just 2%, down from 3% reported at the end of 2017.
As of December 2018, the majority of economic activities moderated their growth with respect to what was observed in the same month of the previous year, with a 1.8% year-on-year variation in the general IMAE indicator, informed the Central Bank of Costa Rica.
During the first month of the year, the rise in the consumer price index was caused by the behavior of the Water and Electricity Supply and Rental Divisions.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) registered a 0.03% monthly variation in January 2019, the lowest observed in that month since 2016, informed the Central Bank of Honduras.
Up to January 2019 in Guatemala the year-on-year variation of the CPI was almost 4%, well above the rate of 2.3% registered at the end of 2018.
The most important inflation levels in January 2019 are as follows: monthly inflation of 1.35%, inflationary rhythm of 4.10% and accumulated inflation of 1.35% were registered, reported the National Statistics Institute (INE).
The consumer price index did not show any major changes in January, as it barely varied by 0.05% with respect to December, mainly because of the Transport and Education prices.
Of the 315 goods and services included in the consumption basket, 57% increased in price, 36% decreased in price and 7% showed no variation, informed the National Statistics and Census Institute.
During the first month of the year, remittances from abroad to Guatemala totaled $688 million, 8% more than what was received in January 2018.
According to figures from the Bank of Guatemala, in January 2019 the country received $688 million in remittances, 8% more than the $635 million recorded in the same month in 2018.
After December 2018, the Confidence in Economic Activity Index in Guatemala reported an 8% year-on-year increase, in January the variation was -3% regarding the same month in 2017.
The Bank of Guatemala Report summarizes that "... An inflationary rhythm of 3.34% is forecast for January, 3.47% for February and 3.56% for March 2019. Regarding December 2019 and 2020, the Panel foresees an inflationary rhythm of 3.95% and 4.19%, in that order. In addition, for a horizon of 12 and 24 months (January 2020 and January 2021) the Panel forecasts an inflationary rhythm of 4.03% and of 4.07%, respectively.
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