After in 2020 most franchises operating in the country reported declines in their operations because of the pandemic, expectations for 2021 is to overcome the losses and in some cases grow.
According to the report "Prospects for 2021 and the situation of franchises in Guatemala and Central America" prepared by the Guatemalan Franchise Association (AGF), in the country in the current context four out of 10 companies have closed between 1% and 10% of their franchise units or establishments.
Given the economic crisis generated by the covid-19 outbreak, nine out of ten companies operating locally reduced their revenues and one out of three made temporary closures.
Between May and August 2020, a COVID-19 section was included in the Directory of Businesses and Establishments (DEE) as part of the update, in order for businesses to indicate what the main effects of the pandemic were. It was confirmed that 94% were affected by Covid-19, where 91% indicated as main consequence the reduction of income, informed the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC).
Companies with teams dedicated to innovation, organizational structures that allow for agile decision making and that quickly migrated to teleworking, are those that have best adapted to the new commercial reality.
The pandemic brought about a scenario of changes in the business models, the companies had to apply radical changes in an accelerated way in order to successfully face the challenges represented by the changes in people's habits.
Policies focused on credit restructuring, fiscal incentives for the production of essential goods and improving the efficiency of import and export processes are part of the proposals of the Nicaraguan private sector to face the economic and health crisis.
"In recent weeks, the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (Cosep) has been proposing a series of measures to the authorities in response to the unstoppable advance of the pandemic caused by the outbreak of covid-19 and the alarming situation of the health system," the union explained in a statement.
In Guatemala, approximately 75% of agricultural enterprises have reported liquidity problems in the context of the crisis generated by covid-19.
A study conducted by the Chamber of Agriculture (Camagro) states that during May, agricultural companies recorded income losses, a situation that can be explained by the quarantine decreed and the social isolation measures.
Lack of clarity in the opening schedule and the absence of a unified, concrete and immediate policy that aims at economic recovery under the established health guidelines, is part of what concerns entrepreneurs.
As part of the return to normal business activities, after the severe quarantine imposed on the country due to the outbreak of covid-19, this week the Panamanian economy is preparing for the opening of the second block of activities.
The Salvadoran business sector is calling for a reversal of the more rigid restriction measures implemented by the Bukele administration since May 7, arguing that the ban on public transport units has generated chaos.
In response to the health crisis facing Panama, the sector's union requested government intervention to suspend rent collections and payment of employer's fees.
On April 1, 2020, the Association of Restaurants and Related Industries of Panama (ARAP) sent a note to the Presidency of the Republic, in which they requested that given the crisis that has been generated by the outbreak of covid-19, they be granted a moratorium of 6 months or more.
After the first case of covid-19 was reported in the country, the private sector is asking authorities to close the borders partially or completely and to have people entering the nation examined and quarantined if necessary.
Jose Adan Aguerri, president of the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP), explained that among the measures taken by the companies for this emergency is the creation of a critical department so that the companies that the staff is working in three different places in case any of them is affected, have guns to measure the temperature of customers who come to the company and not allow them to enter with fever.
Allowing import, export and transit processes to be carried out efficiently is the recommendation of the region's businessmen to avoid product shortages in the regional market.
For the Federation of Chambers and Industrial Associations of Central America and the Dominican Republic (Fecaica), governments should continue to take the measures considered necessary so that the cases detected so far do not continue to multiply, or at least, the contagion curve can be minimized, taking actions such as activating and expanding emergency response mechanisms and informing the population about the risks and ways to protect themselves.
From July 7-10, Guatemalan companies focused on mass consumption will meet with Dominican buyers to learn about local market trends.
The event is organized by the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) and is aimed at national companies interested in marketing mass consumption products, food service and private brands.
In February 2020, the Index of Confidence in Economic Activity in Guatemala reported a 64% growth compared to the same month last year, reinforcing the upward trend that has been registered since July 2019.
Businessmen forecast an inflationary rhythm of 3.25% for February, 3.36% for March and 3.38% for April 2020. As to December 2020 and 2021, the Panel forecasts an inflationary rhythm of 4.16% and 4.20%, in that order.
For El Salvador's business sector, the constitutional crisis triggered by President Nayib Bukele's actions on February 9 was unnecessary and dangerous because of the "abusive use of force with a provocative message."
In order to pressure the deputies to approve a $109 million loan, which will serve to finance Phase III of the Territorial Control Plan, the president of the country decided to take over the facilities of the Legislative Assembly through the army.
In January, the Economic Activity Confidence Index registered a 39% increase compared to the same month in 2019, reinforcing the upward trend that has been reported since July 2019.
An inflationary rhythm of 3.72% is forecast for January, 3.71% for February and 3.84% for March 2020.
It is estimated that by 2019 there were 396,796 microenterprises operating from homes in the country, 10% more than the 361,404 reported at the end of 2018.
On average, each microenterprise has 13 years to develop its economic activity, but there are differences by sector: in the agricultural sector, the average is 20 years, in the industry sector is 14 years, in the trade sector is 12 years and in the service sector microenterprises have on average 11 years developing their economic activity, reported the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC).
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