In Costa Rica, between the first and second quarters of the year, expectations of business leaders fell by 4%, registering the lowest value in the last eight years.
The Research Institute of Economic Sciences at the University of Costa Rica reported that "... The result of the global index of business expectations reveals in general terms that the optimism of business leaders weakened by 2.3 percentage points compared to the previous quarter, standing at 51.3 ...".
Between February and March of this year the Confidence Index of Economic Activity rose from 46.5 to 46.9, registering an increase of just 1%.
According to the Survey on Macroeconomic Analysts' Expectations, prepared by the Central Bank of Honduras, during March the people consulted " ... stated that the country's economic situation has improved, evidenced in the macroeconomic variables at the end of 2017, which were very positive; they hope that the Government's fiscal discipline that favors control of spending will continue and that the approved tax reforms will stimulate investment and employment generation."
Continuing with the decreasing trend that has been reported since last year, in March 2018 the Confidence Index of Economic Activity fell by 30% with respect to the same month in 2017.
According to a survey carried out by Banco de Guatemala, an inflationary rhythm of 4.34% is forecast for March, 4.40% for April and 4.38% for May 2018.As for December 2018 and 2019, the Panel foresees an inflationary rhythm of 4.54% and 4,65%, in order.
Currently the poultry industry has about 5.5 million birds for commercial supply and 14 million broilers, and this year they project growth of 4%.
Regarding the data on the sector, Marco Antonio Baquedano, coordinator of the National Poultry Program at the National Service for Agrifood Health and Safety (SENASA), told Latribuna.hn that "...
Last year hotel and restaurant activities in Nicaragua grew by 6% compared to 2016 and added $500 million to the GDP, which represents 4% of the total production.
According to figures from the Central Bank of Nicaragua, last year the activities of hotels and restaurants "... grew by 7%, favored by an increase in the arrival of visitors from abroad and an increase in arrivals of cruise ships to the country's main ports."
The textile guild has stated that 2017 closed with $2.6 billion in exports and an increase of almost 4%, and for this year it plans to achieve similar growth.
The Chamber of the Textile, Clothing and Free Trade Zone (Camtex) exported $2.617 billion during the past year, $95 million more than the value of exports registered in the previous year.
Following the downward trend registered since last year, in February 2018 the Confidence Index of Economic Activity fell by 38% compared to the same month in 2017.
According to the survey carried out by Banco de Guatemala, an inflationary rhythm of 4.7% is forecast for February, 4.6% for March and 4.6% for April 2018.As for December 2018 and 2019, the Panel foresees an inflationary rhythm of 4.6% and 4.7%, in that order. In addition, in a forecast for 12 and 24 months (February 2019 and February 2020) the Panel foresees an inflationary rhythm of 4.67% and 4.56%, respectively.
Projections are that this year growth of the Central American insurance sector will be driven by activities in the markets of Costa Rica and Guatemala.
From the report "Prospects 2018: Insurance Sector in Central America" by Fitch Ratings:
Stable Rating Perspective:The rating outlook for the Central Americaninsurancesectoris stable for 2018, given that most of the rated companies maintain a stable outlook on an individual basis.Fitch Ratings believes that the sector shows stable fundamentals, as a result of good profitability levels and high liquidity and capitalization indicators in all countries, which it expects to continue to be reflected in solid balance sheets in companies.
Representatives of the union in Nicaragua announced that this year they plan to plant between 1,200 and 1,500 hectares, which will be added to the 28,000 already planted in recent years.
Authorities estimate that this year the number of visitors that will come to the country will be 2.2 million, 4% more than the flow of tourists registered last year.
Following an 11% tourist increase between 2016 and 2017, representatives from the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (Inguat) project that this year the number of visitors will reach 2 million 197 thousand, a figure that is 4% more than the 2 million 119 thousand reported last year.
Fitch Ratings forecasts that the performance of the banking system will remain stable in 2018, despite the expected slowdown in credit growth.
From a statement issued by Fitch Ratings:
Fitch Ratings-San Salvador-23 January 2018: Fitch Ratings has maintained its stable outlook for Nicaragua's banking system, considering that its financial performance is expected to remain adequate in 2018 despite the anticipated slowdown in credit growth. Banking system performance has proven to be consistent, benefiting from the positive trend of the local economy. On average, Nicaragua's real GDP growth was 5.2% between 2012 and 2016 while credit growth was 21.5%. However, since 2016 there has been a slight slowdown in the economy and in the main credit segments (commercial and consumer loans). Fitch expects the country's economic growth in 2018 to reach 4.5%. This would imply a lower dynamism for the banking sector, with credit growth expected below 15%.
Financial executives point out that in order to regain confidence in the economy, the country is urging improvements in legal certainty and a reduction in political instability.
Sergio Recinos, president of the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat), told Prensalibre.com that "... this year we must improve matters related to legal certainty for investors andpolitical stability.These same business people have expressed in indices that measure the climate of confidence their concern that there should be 'clear rules'."
Opening up new markets and resuming exports to Mexico are two of the goals that entrepreneurs in the aquaculture sector have set for 2018.
Authorities at the Ministry of Economic Development indicated that the aquaculture and fishing sector will have closed 2017 with exports of more than $300 million, led by sales of tilapia and shrimp.
The union of builders anticipates a good year for the sector, mainly due to an increase expected in the development of road works.
Data from the Central Bank indicates that the construction sector grew 5.4% in 2017, and that this year it could grow 9.9%.This projection is consistent with the expectations of construction entrepreneurs, who believe that the construction of roads and other public infrastructure will underpin the activityof the sector this year.
The union of merchants has reported a 7.6% increase in commercial activity in 2017, and expects closing this year with a 7% increase and sales of $2.3 billion.
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