Because of factors such as business closures and lack of opportunities, it is estimated that criminal activity costs Honduras and El Salvador 16% of GDP, and in the case of Guatemala, its losses could amount to 7% of its production.
In Central America, the human costs of crime remain one of the highest in the world. El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras—referred to as the Northern Triangle— account for about four-and-a-half percent of homicides worldwide despite only having about one-half-percent of the world's population.
The Panama Chamber of Commerce requested the Panama Canal Authority to postpone the start of collection of the fee for the use of fresh water in the Canal, which would begin to be paid on February 15, 2020.
Between January 15 and April 14, 2020, the electricity tariff will decrease by an average of 5% compared to the price reported in the previous quarter.
The contribution of renewable energy registered a significant increase in the system, reaching 67% of the injections in the Wholesale Market in the last quarter, while in the previous quarter it was only 46%, being this the main reason behind the reduction in the tariffs.
As a result of the tax reform implemented in February 2019, at the beginning of 2020 the prices of beverages increased, mainly soft drinks sold in plastic containers.
In February of last year, the Ortega regime approved the reform of the Tax Agreement Law, which consisted of increasing income tax from 1% to 2% for medium sized companies with higher incomes, and from 1% to 3% for large taxpayers.
Convincing the sales team that the increase in the price of the product is necessary, and that they are able to convey the message to customers correctly, is essential when it comes to increasing prices when production costs rise.
Ariel Banos, specialist in price management and founder of Fijaciondeprecios.com, explains five strategies to increase product prices successfully, maintaining profitability and ensuring the viability of the company in the face of rising costs.
Given the increase in port charges announced for 2020 and the high cost of aviation fuel, concern is growing among the airlines that use Costa Rica's Juan Santamaria airport.
According to a statement from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Aeris, airport operator of the Juan Santamaria terminal, has confirmed that the rates will have a significant increase next year, because recent investments will be depreciated quickly to coincide with the expiration of the management contract in 2026.
The high energy tariffs paid in Costa Rica compared to other countries in the region and the effects of the monopoly that exists in electricity generation are threats to the local economy and future investments.
Between October 15, 2019 and January 14, 2020, the electricity tariff will decrease 5% on average with respect to the price reported in the previous quarter.
The new average price per MW hour (MWh) is $134.95, which is 5.16% lower than the one reported last quarter when it reached $143.84 MWh, informed the General Superintendence of Electricity and Telecommunications (SIGET).
In the country, the business sector expects an increase in operating costs in the coming months, as a result of the expected increase in the price of electricity in the short term.
Retention of raw materials by the authorities of Customs and charges to businessmen by the mayors, are some of the problems that are affecting industrial companies in Nicaragua, in addition to the crisis and the rise in taxes.
Directors of the Chamber of Industries of Nicaragua (Cadin) reported that companies in the packaging, beverage and dairy industries are the most affected by the withholding of inputs made by the General Directorate of Customs (DGA).
From 2020 onwards, the fuel used by ships worldwide should not exceed 0.5% sulphur concentration, forcing transporters to consume higher priced fuels, which could become even more expensive because of increased demand.
From January 1, 2020, the concentration of sulphur in the fuel consumed by maritime transport vessels must not exceed 0.5%, a limit that until now was at 3.5%.
A bill proposing to charge $5 for each passenger in transit was presented, whose funds, which would reach $65 million, would be given to airlines as incentives to attract more tourists to the country.
Bill 150, called "Airline Incentive Law", was presented to the National Assembly on August 26. See full initiative.
The non-tax exemption of equipment that generates solar energy, together with the gaps in its regulation, are some of the factors that make investments more expensive in Nicaragua.
Since mid-July, the main companies transporting maritime cargo from the Port of Santa Tomas in Guatemala stopped operating the direct route to Europe, which will raise between 20% and 25% the costs of imports and exports.
After six decades of keeping the direct route to European ports in operation, the main shipping companies departing from Puerto Santo Tomás de Castilla in Izabal such as Maersk, Hamburg Sud, MSC, CMA-CGM, Hapas Lloyd and Sea Trade, decided not to re-operate the route concerned, leaving only one company with a multipurpose transport ship as an option to move cargo to Europe.
Changes in legislation restricting the use of disposable plastic containers and packaging force companies to look for other options, some of which could be up to five times more expensive.
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