Low Competitiveness and Capital flight

Monday, December 14, 2020

Due to the precariousness of the English language, in recent years’ companies in the Contact Center & BPO sector have decided to close thousands of jobs in the region and relocate their investments to other markets where they have no difficulty in recruiting qualified personnel.

Reports at a global level show that the command of English is one of the weaknesses at a Central American level.

Costa Rica: Intel to Reopen Assembly Operations

Thursday, December 10, 2020

The company announced that over the next three years it plans to invest $350 million in the start-up of chip assembly and testing operations.

The Struggle for Foreign Investment in 2021

Friday, October 2, 2020

Because of the economic crisis, Foreign Direct Investment flows have practically vanished, and in order to attract the few investments that are projected for next year, countries are expected to compete by offering incentives and aid programs for businesses.

The covid-19 outbreak dissipated the investment intentions of companies globally.

Foreign Investment: How to Take Advantage of the Crisis?

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The health and economic crisis will result in a reordering of foreign investment at the global level, and countries like Central America will have the opportunity to take advantage of their geographical position to attract fresh capital.

The outbreak of covid-19 worldwide will cause a drop in production in 2020, however, by 2021 and 2022 the forecasts of international organizations anticipate that economic activity could rebound, a rise that would be coupled with new investments in various markets and sectors.

Manufacturing: New Tax Regime in Panama

Friday, April 24, 2020

The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Commerce and Industry to submit to the Assembly a bill to create the Special Regime for the Establishment and Operation of Multinational Companies for the Provision of Services Related to Manufacturing.

The decision of the Executive, which seeks to reactivate the economy in the context of the health and economic crisis generated by the outbreak of covid-19, was made official through the publication in the Digital Official Journal, in Cabinet Resolution No. 26 of April 21, 2020.

Guatemala: Foreign Investment Up 6%

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

From January to September 2019, the country received $671 million in foreign direct investment, 6% more than in the same period in 2018.

Figures from the Bank of Guatemala show that between the first nine months of 2018 and the same period in 2019, foreign direct investment (FDI) that reached the country increased by $39 million, from $671 million to $632 million.

Costa Rica: New Financial Services Center

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Stryker, a medical technology company, opened a new financial services center to be located in the province of Heredia, from where it will support all its financial activities in the Americas.

The operation is in San Antonio Business Park, in Heredia, where the company opened its offices since last April, according to official information.

From Cinde's statement:

Investment in Nicaragua: Is it Possible to Restore Confidence?

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Strengthening government institutions in the areas of contract enforcement, property rights protection and investor protection are part of the recommendations made by the IMF in its most recent visit to the country.

According to the international organization, policies to regain the confidence of the private sector, including a frank assessment of the impact of recent measures, are essential to promote economic recovery and compensate for increased poverty. In the short term, strengthening government institutions in the areas of contract enforcement and efficiency of the legal framework for dispute resolution, protection of property rights, investor protection, property registration, and insolvency resolution could significantly improve the country's competitiveness.

More SEM Companies Arrive in Panama

Thursday, November 7, 2019

So far this year, 17 new company licenses have been approved in the country under the Multinational Companies Headquarters regime, a figure that is higher than the 7 that were reported throughout 2018.

In addition to the 17 companies that already obtained their licenses in 2019, there are 7 other companies that are in the phase of evaluation by the Commission of Headquarters of Multinational Enterprises of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MICI).

Panama: FDI Grows 11% in First Semester

Friday, November 1, 2019

During the first six months of the year, foreign direct investment flows in the country reached $3.237 million, 11% more than in the same period of 2018.

Between the first semester of 2018 and the same period of 2019 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) that reached the country increased by $309 million, going from $2.928 million to $3.237 million, explains a report from the Comptroller of the Republic.

Uncertainty Discourages Investments in Nicaragua

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Between the first semester of 2018 and the same period of 2019, the flows of Foreign Direct Investment reaching the country decreased by 25%, a decrease that is explained by the uncertainty that predominates among businessmen, derived from the political and economic crisis.

According to official figures, from January to June of this year the country received $364 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which is less than the $483 million received in the first six months of 2018.

Second Economic Development Zone Approved

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

The second project was authorized in Guatemala to install a Special Public Economic Development Zone, which will require an initial investment of $16 million and will be located in Pajapita, department of San Marcos.

"Puerta del Istmo" is the name of the industrial park, which will be on a 160-hectare site and will house industrial and logistics companies. In its first phase it will require a $4 million investment and in its second phase it plans to invest $12 million.

Guatemala: Foreign Investment Falls 2%

Friday, October 18, 2019

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.

El Salvador: Foreign Investment Rebounds

Friday, October 4, 2019

After the first semester of 2018 reported a 29% year-on-year fall in the flow of Foreign Direct Investment, in the period from January to June 2019 the increase was 52%.

During the first semester of 2019, El Salvador received $435.9 million in net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which allowed it to surpass by far the historical average of the last ten years, informed the Central Reserve Bank.

Guatemala Seeks More Mexican Investment

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Alejandro Giammattei, elected president of Guatemala, will propose to the authorities of the North American country that a special economic zone covering both sides of the border be developed.

Guatemala's president-elect is wasting no time, since four months after taking office, he is already making investment proposals to neighboring countries. In this case, he will do so in Mexico, where on September 20 he will meet with Lopez Obrador and will deliver a file on the issues he proposes to work on in the coming years.