As a result of the fast emergence of the new commercial reality, several business models that were profitable until the first quarter of 2020, are now obsolete, forcing business leaders to rethink strategies to survive in this new scenario.
The spread of covid-19 generated radical transformations in the markets for goods and services, in the ways people work, modified several consumption habits, and even changed some tastes and preferences.
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.
Analyzing the economic and financial situation of the company, implementing a resistance plan, identifying what products customers need and what opportunities can be exploited in this context, are some of the tips for businesses in the new and complex reality.
In response to the arrival of the covid-19 virus in the region, Central American economies have taken different measures, in scenarios ranging from severe mobility restrictions, as in Guatemala or Honduras, to others that are less strict but equally negative for economic activity, as in Costa Rica.
Recruiting the best staff to operate the points of sale and reducing the costs of the initial investments to set up a franchise are some of the challenges faced by franchisers, who expect better sales in 2020.
Access to financing, containment of operating costs, and maintaining profitability levels are other issues of concern to franchisors in Guatemala.
Technology and tools for analyzing large volumes of information used by large corporations to make business decisions are also available to businessmen and small companies.
Finding the best location for a new sales point, finding the areas where potential customers move and analyzing their purchasing power and their behavior as consumers are just some of the things that can be done today with the help of new technologies.
Because of the slowdown in the economy and the entry into force of new taxes, in 2020 is expected a slight growth of 1% in the number of franchise brands in Costa Rica.
In the last year, the growth in the number of franchises reported a significant slowdown, since the figures of the guild specify that up to May this year the net number of brands reached 361, a value that exceeds by just 0.6% the 358 registered in the same month of 2018.
As one of the measures that the Costa Rican government plans to implement is that it will no longer be necessary to have all the requirements to open a business certified, and only an affidavit will be necessary.
The government will implement a regulatory moratorium that will prevent the creation of new procedures, requirements or procedures to obtain permits, licenses or authorizations, which will apply until May 2022, according to an official source. This would be one of the guidelines that are part of the government's actions to lead the country to economic recovery.
From 20 to 23 May, an online business meeting will be held with South Korea for companies in the food and beverage sectors.
The Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA) coordinates the "Virtual Business Roundtable with South Korea," which is aimed at companies in the food and beverage sector, and will be conducted through the Central American Trade Network.
The FTA with Panama and the agreement with El Salvador, both in the negotiation stage, are part of the commercial opportunities that the Asian nation seeks to consolidate in the region in the short-term.
The third round of negotiations to conclude the trade agreement between the Central American country and the Asian nation began in Panama City. This session will deal with trade barriers, customs procedures and trade facilitation.
Between the 4th and 8th of June a business roundtable is being organized for companies in the sectors of packaging, food and beverages, and tourism, among others.
The Secretariat of Central American Economic Integration (SIECA) is inviting companies to take part in the so-called "Virtual Business Conference of Central America Exports" in which companies from the following sectors will participate:
Traffic congestion, the price of land and rents, and logistical facilities are some of the reasons why more and more companies in Costa Rica prefer to be located outside of San José.
Between 2016 and 2017 the number of companies set up in San José fell from 15,311 to 14,748, which is equivalent to a decrease of 4%, according to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Census.
It is estimated that renting halls for events and opening up restaurants to the general public and not only to guests, represents between 15% and 40% of income for hotels in the Greater Metropolitan Area.
Hotels in the Greater Metropolitan Area are making use of these options in order to take advantage of the infrastructure available to provide services beyond renting bedrooms.
Salvadoran industrialists claim that with the presidential veto of the administrative simplification law, the country has lost a valuable opportunity to improve the already deteriorated business climate.
EDITORIAL
With the veto of the Administrative Simplification Act, the Salvadoran government is sending a clear message to the business community and to society in general: There is no interest in paving the way for the private sector to generate more jobs and, consequently, more wealth and socioeconomic development.
Eight out of ten entrepreneurs claim that an excess of formalities and the high costs of formalization are the main difficulties they face when starting a business in the country.
From a statement issued by theUccaep:
28 September 2017.Setting up a business in Costa Rica and operating formally and under the protection of the law, is becoming more difficult for entrepreneurs.This was revealed by the Third Quarterly Business Survey "Pulso Empresarial", carried out by theCosta Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of the Private Business Sector (UCCAEP).
From August 23 to 25, Central American companies from the food and beverage, tourism and services sectors will be taking part in an international business conference in David, Chiriquí province.
The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Chiriquí, organizer of the event, expects the participation of 500 representatives from national and international companies from Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador and Costa Rica.
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