In its latest update of economic growth projections for 2019, ECLAC estimates that the Dominican Republic will close the year with a 5% increase, followed by Panama, which would reach a growth rate of 3.7%.
According to economic growth projections for Latin America, which were estimated by the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC) and updated in November, the Dominican Republic will be the country in the region that will increase its production the most this year.
After falling from 4.4% to 1.8% between July and September 2019, during October the price growth rate was 2.2%.
Out of the twelve spending divisions that make up the Consumer Price Index (CPI), food (1.62%), transportation (0.79%), recreation (0.45%), reflect the rise in the general price level of inflation to October 2019, reported the National Statistics Institute.
In September, the IMAE in Guatemala registered a 4.2% inter-annual variation, influenced by wholesale and retail trade activities, and Agriculture, livestock, hunting, forestry and fishing.
The economic activity measured by the estimation of the IMAE, in September 2019, showed a 4.2% growth rate, variation that is greater in comparison to the 3.6% registered in the ninth month of 2018, explains the report of the Banco de Guatemala.
During October 2019, family remittances sent to the country totaled nearly $1 billion, the largest amount recorded in a single month.
The most recent figures from the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat) show that in October 2019 the country received remittances of $999.96 million, 16% more than the $863 million recorded in the same month in 2018.
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.
From January to June 2019, the country received $536 million in foreign direct investment, 2% less than in the same period of 2018.
According to data from the Bank of Guatemala, between the first semester of 2018 and the same period of 2019, foreign direct investment (FDI) that arrived in the country decreased by $10 million, going from $546 million to $536 million.
Private services, manufacturing industries and wholesale and retail trade explained part of the 3% year-on-year increase reported in gross GDP in the period from April to June 2019.
Financial intermediation, insurance and auxiliary activities, and Construction were other economic activities contributing to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product for the quarter in question.
From January to September 2019, family remittances to Guatemala totaled $7.748 million, 14% more than in the same period in 2018.
The most recent figures from the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat) indicate that in September 2019 the country received remittances of $892 million, 20% more than the $745 million recorded in the same month in 2018.
In August, the IMAE in Guatemala registered a 3.7% year-on-year variation, influenced by wholesale and retail trade activities, and private services.
The economic activity measured by the estimation of the IMAE, in August 2019, showed a 3.7% growth rate, variation that is slightly lower compared to the 3.8% registered in the eighth month of 2018, explains the report of the Banco de Guatemala.
For the third consecutive month, the inflationary rate in Guatemala decelerated, since the year-on-year variations reported by the Consumer Price Index during July, August and September, were of 4.4%, 3% and 1.8%, respectively.
The most important inflation levels in September 2019 are as follows: monthly inflation of -0.58%, inflationary rate of 1.80% and accumulated inflation of 1.63%, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE).
After registering year-on-year rises of 7% and 6% in July and August, respectively, in September the Confidence in Economic Activity Index in Guatemala showed a 7% variation.
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, the report of the Banco de Guatemala needs.
Avoiding hurried discounts, managing price increases according to costs and improving cash flow are some of the strategies that companies can resort to protect their profitability in contexts of inflation and recession.
Ariel Baños, a price management specialist and founder of Fijciondeprecios.com, explains four strategies for maintaining profitability when companies face scenarios of rising prices and low dynamism in economic activity.
In Guatemala, the Economic Activity Index registered year-on-year growth of 3.1% in June, explained in part by the variations of Private Services and Manufacturing Industries.
According to the report of the Banco de Guatemala the economic activity measured by the estimation of the IMAE, reported a deceleration in June 2019, since it registered a 3.1% growth rate, increase that is lower to the variation of 3.5% reported in May of this year.
During the first seven months of 2019, family remittances to Guatemala totaled $5.875 million, 13% more than in the same period in 2018.
According to the most recent figures from the Bank of Guatemala, in July 2019 the country received $948 million in remittances, 16% more than the $818 million recorded in the same month in 2018.
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