After the UCCAEP in Costa Rica began to negotiate the lifting of the blockades with the self-proclaimed group Rescate Nacional, promoter of the protests, several business chambers distanced themselves from that decision and others have expressed their support.
Given the wave of protests and blockades that have been reported in the country, which arose after it was reported that to access a loan from the International Monetary Fund for $1.75 billion, the government planned to tax financial transactions, raise the tax on the profits of companies and persons, and increase the tax on real estate. The Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of the Private Business Sector (UCCAEP) decided to negotiate the lifting of the blockades.
Taking measures to reactivate the productive sectors, make better use of public-private partnerships and boost tourism is part of what the private sector expects from the Panamanian government in the coming year.
Six months before the Cortizo administration takes office, Panama's business sector is asking it to make the decisions the economy needs to be able to continue on the path of development, and above all, not to lose competitiveness both domestically and in relation to its peers in the region, and to be able to continue to attract foreign investment.
With the election of Alvaro Saenz Saborío as the new president of UCCAEP, the Chamber of Industries and the Chamber of Banana Growers decided to return to the largest business association in Costa Rica.
Gonzalo Delgado decided to resign the presidency of the UCCAEP, after several days charged with much controversy and divisions within the largest business union Costa Rica.
After the Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the banana growers' union of Costa Rica decided to leave UCCAEP, the Chamber of Construction has asked for the resignation of the president of the business leadership.
The board of directors of the Costa Rican Chamber of Construction (CCC) requested by means of a letter, which was sent on November 4, the immediate resignation of Gonzalo Delgado, president of the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of the Private Business Sector (UCCAEP).
In accordance with the decision taken by the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the banana growers' union in Costa Rica decided to leave UCCAEP, after having been affiliated for more than 30 years.
After the Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Industries ceased to be part of the UCCAEP, union directors expect them to "reconsider the position, because they recognize the value of both organizations.
Directors of the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of the Private Business Sector (UCCAEP), made up of 47 chambers, believe that the differences in this type of organizations are to be expected, but the goal is to join efforts.
For the minimum wage adjustment planned for January 2020 in Costa Rica, the business sector proposes a 2.53% general increase.
The Unión Costarricense de Cámaras y Asociaciones del Sector Empresarial Privado (UCCAEP), representing the formal private business sector, submitted the salary adjustment proposal to the National Salaries Council.
Through a regional association, companies dedicated to the cosmetics and personal care business in Central America work together to help simplify procedures and improve health regulations.
The aim of the association, composed of guilds from several countries in the region and manufacturing and importing companies, is to support government institutions in the creation of standards and rules that facilitate trade and improve conditions of access to markets, both regionally and to the external market.
The determination of how much and how the minimum wage should be regulated, something that occasionally seems to be done in an arbitrary manner and for political purposes, continues to be one of the factors that most confront Central American businessmen and governments.
In Costa Rica, a 3% increase in the minimum wage was approved for 2019; in El Salvador, an increase is expected to be discussed, and in Guatemala, the commission in charge of the issue reported that no increases will be made this year.
Businessmen in Costa Rica ask the government to complete projects that promote the reactivation of the economy next year, where construction and agriculture are the highest priority activities.
In addition to the economic rebound, the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Business Sector (UCCAEP) expects the country not to focus on single-issue discussions, as happened in 2018 with the fiscal plan.
Reducing trade barriers and procedures, increasing legal security and improving productive infrastructure are part of the changes required by the business sector for the region's economic development.
In Guatemala, the 12th Ibero-American Business Meeting is held, in which the private sector presents proposals to face the current challenges and generate opportunities for the countries of the region.
The union is made up of 50 Salvadoran companies, and aims to promote opportunities for commercial exchange with companies in the European country.
Last week the Bilateral Chamber of Commerce of the Netherlands in Central America (NETHCHAM) was inaugurated, which will mainly seek to increase exports from El Salvador to the Netherlands.
In Costa Rica, the private sector is recommending that the Alvarado administration implement effective measures to reactivate the national economy and a plan to recover the country's competitiveness.
Entrepreneurs are not very optimistic about the development of their businesses in the coming months, since when comparing the business confidence indicator of today (6.2) with that of a year ago (6.4) it can be seen that it is at the same level as twelve months ago.
The number of companies in operation which have 10 or more workers decreased from 7,618 in March 2017 to 7,571 in December of the same year.
Figures from the "National Survey of Companies 2017" by the National Institute of Statistics and Census indicate that between the first quarter and the last quarter of last year, the number of private companies registered a small variation of almost 1%.
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