Due to shortages in raw materials and bottlenecks in the production of inputs demanded by the sector, businessmen in El Salvador expect that in the coming weeks the prices of plastic products will reflect increases.
In the context of the health crisis and home quarantine, the average daily consumption in the country is about 18 GWh, which is 25% less than that reported prior to the outbreak of the virus.
Data from the Transaction Unit (TU) indicate that between the levels reported in February and the demand registered from March 23 to April 3, consumption has fallen from 19.6 GWh to 15 GWh on average.
In a context of slowdown in industrial activity and loss of jobs, the industrialists' union of El Salvador calls for a policy of attracting investment through incentives and reviewing and taking advantage of existing trade agreements.
El Salvador's industrial sector registered a 0.9% growth in the first half of 2019, two percentage points less than last year during the same period, a fact that shows that economic growth in El Salvador remains slow and low, remaining at 2%, reported the Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI).
After two years of non-operation, El Salvador's government and business associations agreed to reactivate the institution dedicated to decision-making on customs matters and trade agreements.
The private sector was represented by the Presidents and Executive Directors of the guilds ASI, COEXPORT, CAMARASAL, CAMAGRO, AMCHAM, CAMTEX and ADES, which are part of the Inter-union Commission for Trade Facilitation (CIFACIL) and participate with voice and vote within the Committee, informed the Salvadoran government.
In El Salvador, the industrialists' guild asked the Legislative Assembly to be taken into account in the discussion on the prohibition of plastic in the country, since they believe it is convenient to regulate its use, but not to restrict it.
After in October 2018, a bill was presented to the Legislative Assembly (still under discussion) that establishes a one-year deadline for companies to replace the use of plastic bags by articles of other materials, directors of the Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI), ask to be taken into account in the process.
Although in the first half of the year sales abroad reported a slight decrease of 0.4% over the same period in 2018, the business sector in El Salvador expects exports to rebound in the remainder of the year.
Exports from El Salvador up to June of this year registered a total of $3,033.9 million, with a reduction of $13.6 million, compared to the same period in 2018, when the total amounted to $3,047.4 million, informed the Central Reserve Bank.
In El Salvador, the Constitutional Chamber admitted an appeal against the government's decision to terminate the trade agreement, and ordered a temporary suspension of the effects of the cancellation.
After the Salvadoran government decided to finalize the trade agreement with the Asian country in December last year, an act that was not consulted with the productive sector of the country, the union of sugarcane workers filed a lawsuit.
Improving trust between the public sector and businessmen, and recovering the productivity of the economy, are some of the challenges facing the administration of President-elect, Nayib Bukele.
After last February 3, the candidate of the Gana party, Nayib Bukele, won the first round of presidential elections in El Salvador, the business sector anticipates the challenges of the new administration.
Arguing a possible dumping problem, the pharmaceuticals guild in El Salvador opposes a medicine purchase that the Social Security Institute plans to make from a company in China.
The Association of Chemical-Pharmaceutical Industries of El Salvador (Inquifar) reported that the Salvadoran Institute of Social Security (ISSS) seeks to buy medicines and supplies from a company in China, because they expect that the quality of medicine would be put at risk.
Despite the recent announcement by a Costa Rican company about the future of the operation of the Cargo ferry between El Salvador and Costa Rica, as planned, the service is still not operating and may never do so.
The option of maritime cargo transport emerged again with the objective of minimizing part of the impact that the Nicaraguan crisis has had on intraregional trade. That is why in July the governments of Costa Rica and El Salvador announced that they were already able to begin ferrying operations. See "Cargo Ferry Between La Union and Caldera Back on the Table"
Difficulty in stocking up on raw materials and high prices are some of the most frequent obstacles facing industrial entrepreneurs in El Salvador.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI) are carrying out an investigation in which conclusions have been reached that 70% of the industrial sector buys its raw materials in the country, but they stated that there is often lack of availability of inputs.
According to entrepreneurs dedicated to the distribution of electricity in El Salvador, the rigid legal regulations prevent progress being made on issues such as the development of distribution networks and improvements to the quality of service.
Representatives from the Association of Distributors of Salvadoran Electric Power (Asdees), believe that due to the gap between technological advances and the backlog of the regulatory framework for the sector, the country is losing competitiveness.
On November 7th and 8th industrial entrepreneurs will be meeting in San Salvador to discuss issues related to best practices in the use of water resources.
The Water Industry event El Salvador 2017 will be held in San Salvador and will address issues such as improvements in water quality, efficiency and sustainability in Salvadoran industry.
In 2015 foreign sales of drinks produced in the country have recovered from the fall seen in 2014, standing at $168 million.
An article on Elsalvador.com reports that "...Sodas and carbonated drinks are the main export product in the sector. The latest annual growth was 37.6%, equivalent to an additional $36.8 million, according to the latest industry ranking made by the Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI). "
The Salvadoran Industry Association is convening the third Regional Energy Congress on 20, 21 and 22 of July at the Sheraton Hotel in San Salvador.
From a statement issued by the Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI):
The Congress is a coordinated effort by multiple actors and aims to promote a space to raise the discussion of the topic of energy at the highest level and to publicize the latest developments in the Regional Electricity Market (MER), renewable energy and energy management.
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