EU to Buy Up to 60 Tons of SugarWednesday, March 18, 2009 Europe would admit up to 60,000 tons of Central American sugar, 5% of the deficit in its annual consumption. In the last round of negotiations of the Association Agreement between Central America and Europe, it was agreed to open the market at 35,000 tons, but the Europeans have given in more in recent mini-rounds, according to an article in La Prensa Grafica of El Salvador: "According to negotiation sources, they have given in a little bit more during the mini-rounds. In the last round, the proposal went up 60,000 tons. Central America and European Union to Create Financial FundFriday, April 24, 2009 In Brussels, it was decided to create a "financial mechanism" whose characteristics will begin to be defined "henceforth." The negotiators also proposed a work schedule leading to the completion of the association agreement between Central America and the European Union in July. The next meeting will take place in Prague, on May 14, during the EU-Rio Group Summit." No Europe Agreement in 2009Friday, September 18, 2009 Costa Rica's Commerce Ministry is proposing a change in the rules, in order to close the agreement without Honduras. So far, Europe's stance has been to put the process on hold until the Honduran crisis is resolved with the restitution of deposed president Manuel Zelaya, an event that may never occur. If the winner of the planned elections in Honduras is not recognized, the Association Agreement with Europe could be postponed sine die. EU accepts that Costa Rica will not join ParlacenThursday, January 29, 2009 The European Union gave in on its desire that regarding interparlamentary dialogue, Central American representation would be exclusively be by Parlacen. In this dialogue, Costa Rica will be represented by a member of its Legislative Assembly while other Central America countries will be represented via the regional organism. EU Arranges to Meet in Brussels with Central AmericaMonday, April 6, 2009 Following the suspension of round 7 of negotiations, Europe called together an "informal meeting" with Central America to try to overcome the conflict with Nicaragua. Following the withdrawal of the Nicaraguan delegation, prompted by the rejection by the EU and the other Central American countries of the proposed establishment of a 60 billion Euro fund to fight poverty in this region, the reactions of various sectors were not long in coming, especially from Central American entrepreneurs who demanded the continuation of the talks with or without Nicaragua. EU Relaxes Rules in Several AreasThursday, May 14, 2009 In addition to plastics, the European Union made concessions in chocolate, palm oil, fertilizers and chemicals. According to the flexibility incorporated into the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union, enterprises in the region may include materials from outside into products that are then exported to Europe under the tariff regime established in the Agreement. Global Demand for Cocoa BeansWednesday, May 28, 2014 It is estimated that in Asia alone demand for the grain will increase between 5% and 9% in the next four to five years, opening up opportunities for high quality cocoa for america producers. Encouraged by the deficit of about 175,000 tonnes in the last world harvest, the return of traditional consumers in Europe and the United States and increasing consumption in emerging countries, cocoa prices rose by 25% in 2013 and continued to rise in early 2014, reaching a cost per ton of £1,900 ($3.200 U.S. dollars) in London and more than $3,000 in New York. Integration Held Back by Large ObstaclesMonday, November 2, 2009 In spite of globalization driving various forms of private economic integration, there still remain custom and tariff barriers. International commerce experts agree that in order to fully take advantage of the benefits of free trade agreements with extra-regional blocks, Central America must complete the economic integration process started on October 14, 1951. European Banana Producers Against Association Agreement with CATuesday, May 13, 2014 The Association of European Banana Producers has proposed extending the community production model until 2020 in order to face competition from Central America. From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office: Costa Rica to Host Rice Sector ConventionTuesday, May 20, 2014 A convention on the rice market and related technology will be held with companies in Central America and other regions from 27 to 29 May. 105 companies, from Latin America, the U.S., Canada, Europe and Africa are already registered for the event and it is expected that eventually there will be 600 members of the global rice industry taking part in the activity. LAC Flavors 2013 Announced in NicaraguaMonday, July 15, 2013 On 25 and 26 July 150 regional suppliers to the food sector will present their products to more than 50 buyers from North America, Europe and Asia. From a statement by the Inter-American Development Bank: The Essential Central American Customs UnionMonday, April 28, 2014 Governments in the region should accelerate and make concrete a real customs union that decisively contributes to economic development by facilitating trade in goods and services as well as flows of capital. While Central American government officials in regional authorities speak of integration, in reality central governments are doing little or nothing to achieve it, when not they are not in the process of obstructing it. Latin America and Wind EnergyThursday, July 2, 2009 Costa Rica leads Central America in its efforts to take advantage of the good conditions for wind energy in the region. Conditions are even more favorable in Latin America than they are in Europe where wind power generation is extensive, clean and renewable. Wood: The Coal of the Future?Thursday, June 4, 2009 The use of wood as a renewable fuel grew by 25% in the last 20 years. In Europe and the United States, the demand for timber to be used as fuel is growing. Companies such as Vattenfall AB of Sweden, RWE AG of Germany and American Electric Power of Ohio Inc., which is the biggest consumer of coal in the U.S., are increasingly adapting their central power generation to wood consumption. Profound Changes in Hotel IndustryMonday, April 7, 2014 In the past 20 years hotels have had to adapt to much more informed clients, who are less loyal and have broader interests. An article on Hosteltur.com reviews the evolution of the hospitality industry, in times of globalization and most of all the possibilities offered by the Internet. |
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