In the context of the health and economic crisis in the country, some 54% of the country's companies have suspended work due to lack of market demand.
The results of a survey carried out by the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), indicate that in this scenario of economic contraction, in the Nicaraguan market 33% of the companies surveyed have had to lay off workers and there are 40% who are also thinking of laying off workers.
The World Bank projects that the Central American economy will contract by 3.6% this year, due to restrictions on movement, a decline in remittances and tourism, and a drop in agricultural prices.
The sudden and widespread impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the measures taken to contain it have caused a drastic contraction in the global economy, which, according to World Bank forecasts, will shrink by 5.2% this year, the bank reported on June 8.
Structural changes in world trade, consumer preference for living on the outskirts of cities and a growing demand for technological equipment to be able to work from home are some of the turns economies will experience in the new reality.
Most companies globally have been focused on understanding the new business environment, which derives from the change in the ways people relate to each other as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
In the context of the tense diplomatic and commercial relationship between the two world powers, Central American countries could have the opportunity to attract new investments, as it is estimated that some American companies would need to migrate their operations to the American continent.
As a result of the tension between the two nations, Mauricio Claver-Carone, an advisor to President Trump, believes that U.S. capital, which currently generates thousands of jobs in China, will turn south of the U.S. borders.
Discounts and offers, increase in the price level generally and the rise in operating costs due to new health and safety protocols are the main threats to the profitability of companies in this new commercial reality.
Given this context of economic and health crisis, which derives from the outbreak of covid-19 at the global level, Ariel Baños, a specialist in price management and founder of Fijaciondeprecios.com, explains what are the main threats that could affect the profitability levels of companies, and details some strategies that could be applied to mitigate the adverse effects.
Given the threat of a deepening economic recession in the country, resulting from the outbreak of covid-19, it is estimated that by the end of the year the open unemployment rate could rise to 9.2%.
In the context of the health crisis, an increase in poverty levels will also be reported, and the GDP per capita indicator will decrease, explains the "Informe de Coyuntura, Abril 2020", prepared by the Nicaraguan Foundation for Economic and Social Development (Funides).
Including the respective prevention protocols to avoid the spread of the virus, cinemas, beauty salons, auto parts sales, non-contact sports training centers, gyms and swimming schools will be able to open to the public as of May 1st in Costa Rica.
The protocols must be constructed between the institutions and the respective sectors, who may send their proposals to the Ministry or Executive Presidency as appropriate, reported the Ministry of Health.
Once the economy begins to return to normal, as the phases of the pandemic are overcome in the country, it is estimated that the demand for meals outside the home will have decreased by 13%.
Using a demand/income sensitivity model developed by CentralAmericaData's Trade Intelligence Unit, variations in demand by Nicaraguan households for different goods and services can be projected as the most critical phases of the spread of covid-19 are overcome and restrictive measures are lifted in the country.
Given the crisis in the region, businessmen in Guatemala report that smuggling of Mexican products has increased, while in Panama, beer producers attribute the rise in illegal trade in alcoholic beverages to the dry law.
With the spread of Covid-19, governments in Central America have decreed mandatory quarantines and have also restricted the movement of consumers at certain hours.
Once the Central American economies begin to return to normal, as the restriction and quarantine measures that have been taken to prevent the spread of the covid-19 are relaxed, household consumption patterns will have changed significantly.
For example, the demand for meals out of home will decrease by about 7% from the levels reported prior to the crisis.
After the first case of covid-19 was reported in the country, the private sector is asking authorities to close the borders partially or completely and to have people entering the nation examined and quarantined if necessary.
Jose Adan Aguerri, president of the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP), explained that among the measures taken by the companies for this emergency is the creation of a critical department so that the companies that the staff is working in three different places in case any of them is affected, have guns to measure the temperature of customers who come to the company and not allow them to enter with fever.
In Central America, it is estimated that the sectors that could expect a severe impact on sales in the coming months are Transport, Entertainment and some sub-sectors of Industry and Trade.
The "Information system for the Covid-19 Impact Analysis on Business", prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, measures the degree of impact that the crisis will have on companies according to their sector, during the coming months.
Identifying critical business needs and setting up plans on how to maintain supplies and operations, as well as establishing communication channels with suppliers to be informed in case of any eventuality, are part of the advice for companies.
The coronavirus has already affected the world economy, and its effects do not seem to stop.
The closure of shopping centers, bars and discotheques, and the suspension of public transport, are some of the measures that began to take effect in the country on March 17, with the aim of containing the spread of covid-19.
The provisions are mandatory and will be in force from March 17 at 00:00 hours until March 31 this year at 24:00 hours, details the presidential agreement published in the Diario de Centroamerica.
Suspension of work for government and company workers, closure of businesses and shopping centers, as well as a ban on the operation of public transport, are some of the measures decreed in the country in view of the threat of the spread of covid-19.
Air, land and sea borders are closed throughout the country, and all sporting, cultural and social activities are cancelled, reported the Honduran presidency.
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