Central America awaits new offer from EuropeThursday, July 3, 2008 The Central American negotiating team, which met in El Salvador this week, repeated that it will not change its position at least until Europe changes its offer. Rubén Morales, Vice-minister of the Economy for Guatemala, didn't discount the possibility that the pot would be sweetened on both sides of the table, but he said Central America will not make more concessions until Europe does the same. EU trade agreement could be delayedWednesday, July 23, 2008 Negotiations with the European Union on an Association Agreement might be delayed longer than expected. It might take until the end of 2009, and the accord might not go into effect until 2014. Enrique Lacs, former economic minister of the economy for Guatemala and former negotiator of the trade agreements made between Guatemala and the United States and Mexico, says he thinks the negotiations will take more time while aspects of policies, cooperation and market access are hammered out. EU to Buy Up to 60 Tons of SugarWednesday, March 18, 2009 Europe would admit up to 60,000 tons of Central American sugar, 5% of the deficit in its annual consumption. In the last round of negotiations of the Association Agreement between Central America and Europe, it was agreed to open the market at 35,000 tons, but the Europeans have given in more in recent mini-rounds, according to an article in La Prensa Grafica of El Salvador: "According to negotiation sources, they have given in a little bit more during the mini-rounds. In the last round, the proposal went up 60,000 tons. Negotiation Without Honduras to be Decided by EUMonday, August 31, 2009 The European Union will study tomorrow if they resume trade negotiations with Central America without Honduras. The topic will be analyzed in the Latin America Committee of the European Council (COLAT). EU Maintains Honduras in AgreementWednesday, September 2, 2009 The European Commission "doesn't want to leave Honduras isolated" in the Association Agreement negotiations. The measure fostered by Spain for leaving Honduras out of the negotiations has not been backed by other countries in the EU. Restrictions on Honduran melons liftedMonday, December 22, 2008 The Government confirmed that the US and Europe have suspended the ban that was in place due to suspected salmonella contamination. The minister of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock, Hector Hernandez, explained that they have already exported five containers of melon to the US. Businessmen Request Delaying EU AgreementThursday, April 8, 2010 The Commerce and Exporters chambers of Nicaragua remarked that the agreement should not be signed if the European Union doesn’t improve its market access proposal for some products. Eduardo Fonseca, executive director of Nicaragua’s Chamber of Commerce (Caconic), told AFP that if the region hurries the agreement without guaranteeing ‘a larger market’ for its products, rules of origin and a compensation fund to solve asymmetries, then Europe will be the larger beneficiary of it. C.A. Considering EU Negotiation Without HondurasMonday, July 13, 2009 Looking to not delay the final process of the negotiation, the region will analyze if they continue without the participation of Honduras. The Guatemalan chancellor, Haroldo Rodas, spoke about the subject: "In the future, when its crisis is resolved, Honduras could rejoin". Nicaragua Abandons Negotiations with EuropeWednesday, April 1, 2009 The cause was the rejection of the Nicaraguan demand for 60 billion Euros in cooperation for the region by European negotiators. While the news has not been officially confirmed, the Nicaraguan negotiators have already withdrawn from the Intercontinental Hotel, the venue of the talks. How the process will continue is also not known since Europe has insisted from the outset on the need to negotiate as a bloc. Increase in Exports from Honduras to EuropeTuesday, April 14, 2009 Exports in March 2009 increased by $7.765 million when compared with the month of February. According to data from the Center for Exports, areca palm and tilapia skin had a considerable rebound. Nicaraguan Exports to Europe dropThursday, November 27, 2008 Fruit and vegetable exports were $4.5 million in 2007, but this year they were only $1.9 million. Roberto Brenes, Executive Director of CEI, said that the institution will offer farmers mechanism and tools that will allow them to have need knowledge in order to enter the European Market. Sardimar looking to consolidate brand in EuropeTuesday, January 13, 2009 In 2009, the Costa Rican company is planning to consolidate its brand in the UK, Spain and Germany. According to reports on nacion.com "Sardimar also plans to sell Tonnino, its gourmet tuna, in Belgium, Holland, and Luxemburg, said Gabriela Munoz, Business Development manager at the company. Honduran maquilas betting on EuropeThursday, August 21, 2008 The main market for Hondura maquilas is the US, however, because of its strength of the sector the objective now is to venture immediately into Europe. This is the proposal presented by a mission from the Honduran Maquila Industry (IHM) to their peers in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and El Salvador at a recent meeting held in El Salvador. European Union hints at sweet deal on tradeFriday, April 18, 2008 The European Union might be willing to apply trade concessions to Central America under the enhanced Generalized System of Preferences (GSP-Plus), giving the region the equivalent of most-favored nation status. The possibility arose during talks between the two blocs. Rupert Schlegelmilch, the EU's chief trade negotiator, told reporters that he well understood Central America's wish to apply GSP-Plus, which is designed for the world's most vulnerable nations. GSP+ Two Year ExtensionMonday, November 7, 2011 The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP +) will extend for a further two years from 2012, until the Association Agreement with the EU becomes active. The director of trade policy at the El Salvadoran Ministry of Economy, Carlos Moreno, said that once the country’s Assembly has ratified the Association Agreement with the EU, the GSP + will lose its scope. |
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