Technology Services: $3.3 billion in ExportsTuesday, May 15, 2018 In 2016, Costa Rica registered just over $3.3 billion in exports of services through means of technology, information and communication networks. Of the total value exported, 88% corresponds to large companies, although there is also a significant participation of micro-enterprises (7%). The remaining 5% is shared between medium and small companies. Food: Global Prices up to February 2018Monday, March 5, 2018 In February, the FAO food price index fell by almost 3% in year-on-year terms, due to a drop in prices of sugar and vegetable oils. From the monthly report on the FAO food price index: Dubai Commercial Office in PanamaWednesday, February 28, 2018 The Chamber of Commerce of Dubai will be setting up a regional office in Panama, from where it also intends to explore business in other countries of the region. From a statement issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Panama: Price strategies: Is it Worth Haggling?Tuesday, February 6, 2018 The practice of trying to get a discount is acceptable in some places, while in others, depending on the product or service in question, it can lead to doubts and harm negotiations. Ariel Baños, expert in defining pricing strategies, explains that when negotiating a reduction or increase in a price, one must take into account the cultural factors of each country, which can differ greatly from one place to another. "... In some countries, such as Egypt, Morocco and India, and in Southeast Asia in general, it is common to negotiate prices on all types of products and services. It can even be considered offensive if the client pays the initial price, without even making an attempt to get some money off." The Pharmaceutical Business in GuatemalaWednesday, January 17, 2018 In the first half of 2017, $316 million worth of pharmaceutical products were imported, and 48% came from Panama and Mexico. Figures from the information system on the Pharmaceutical Products Market in Guatemala, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"] Preparations for Opening of Convention CenterTuesday, January 16, 2018 The administrator of the new convention center in Costa Rica plans to start operations in April, and in the next four years it is expected that 60 congresses will be organized, which will generate $180 million. Nacion.com reports that "...The Colombian consortium, Heroica-Volio Trejos, is fine-tuning details such as the hiring of employees, the reception of the list of activities already sold by the ICT and some logistics adjustments in the building, in order to realise the opening of the National Congress and Conventions Center (CNCC by its initials in Spanish)." Food: Global Prices Up 8% in 2017Thursday, January 11, 2018 The FAO food price index closed the year with an increase of 8% compared to 2016, the highest annual average since 2014, although it is still 24% below the maximum levels reached in 2011. From the monthly report on the FAO food price index: Central America: Imports of Motorcycles Down 12%Monday, January 8, 2018 In the first semester of 2017, Central American countries imported $174 million worth of motorcycles, 12% less than in the same period in 2016. Figures from the information system on the the Motorcycle market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"] Panama: Restaurant Supply GrowingTuesday, December 12, 2017 The US company DineEquity Inc. has announced the opening of its first restaurant in Panama City, and plans to open four other establishments in the next five years. From a statement issued by DineEquity Inc.: What and How Much Costa Rica Imported in 2016Thursday, December 7, 2017 Cars, medicines, food, plastic and cell phones led purchases made abroad by Costa Rican companies in 2016. The fourth annual report "Costa Rica Imports", prepared by the Chamber of Foreign Trade (Crecex) details that the transport sector in general saw growth of 16% in the value of imports with respect to data for 2015. In 2016, Costa Rica invested $1.531 billion in goods of this type, particularly automobiles. Nicaragua: Motorcycle Sales Could Grow 5% in 2017Wednesday, December 6, 2017 The motorcycle dealers union plans to close the year 2017 with the sale of 65,100 units nationwide, which would represent an increase of almost 5% compared to 2016. The aim of the Nicaraguan Association of Motor Vehicle Dealers (Andiva) is to sell around 3,100 motorcycles more than last year. Figures from the Pharmaceutical Market in Central AmericaWednesday, November 22, 2017 In the first half of 2017, Central American countries imported $1.533 billion worth of pharmaceutical products, and imports from Germany grew by 11% compared to the same period in 2016. Figures from the information system Pharmaceutical Products Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"] Wood in Central America: A $223 million BusinessWednesday, November 8, 2017 In 2016, Central American countries exported $223 million worth of wood and its manufactures, and the value exported to India grew by 20% compared to 2015. Figures from the information system on the Central American Market for Wood and its Manufactures, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the chart"] Guatemala: Motorcycle Market Grows 9%Monday, November 6, 2017 In 2016, $170 million worth of motorcycles were imported, 9% more than in 2015, and the value imported from China and India grew by 6% and 9%, respectively. Figures from the information system on the the Motorcycle market in Guatemala, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"] Costa Rica and its Never Ending Internet ShortcomingsThursday, November 2, 2017 The country is also losing competitiveness because of its internet services, with average speeds reported of just 6.9 Mbps on the 4G network, far away from the world average and below the rest of Central America. A report by the international company OpenSignal reports that Costa Rica's 4G network has the worst average global speed, just above India, where the average speed of the 4G network is 6.13 Mbps. |
|