FTA with South Korea Soon to Take EffectFriday, February 26, 2021 As of March 1st, the Free Trade Agreement signed between the Republic of South Korea and Central American countries will become effective. After several years of negotiations, the trade agreement between the countries of the region and the Asian nation will finally come into force next Monday. Guatemalan Economy Grows at the Beginning of 2021Thursday, March 4, 2021 During January of this year, the Monthly Index of Economic Activity reported a 3.2% increase compared to the level reported in the same month of 2020. The Guatemalan economy continues to show positive signs, since after facing a crisis during 2020 due to the covid-19 outbreak, economic activity has recovered quickly in recent months.
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Bread and Cookies: Business with Peru Grows at 4%Thursday, March 4, 2021 In the first nine months of 2020, Central American countries allocated $327 million to import bakery, pastry and biscuit products, and purchases from companies in Peru grew 4% compared to the same period in 2019. Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"] Organic Agriculture and Barriers to DevelopmentThursday, March 4, 2021 The lack of incentives, the disorder to apply the legislation and the complexity of producing in areas that are surrounded by traditional crops, are some of the factors that hinder the development of organic agriculture in Costa Rica. In the last decade, the area planted to organic agriculture has fallen. Data from the program of Accreditation and Registration in Agriculture (ARAO) specify that in 2010 the area amounted to 11,115 hectares and in 2019 fell to 8,832 hectares, equivalent to a decrease of 21%.
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Tender for Overpass ConstructionWednesday, March 3, 2021 In Guatemala, the construction of the overpass to be located at the intersection of Villa Hermosa Boulevard and Frutal Boulevard, Villa Hermosa 1, in San Miguel Petapa, is being tendered. Guatemala Government Purchase 14118505:
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Pharmaceuticals: Purchases Exceed $2.6 BillionWednesday, March 3, 2021 From January to September 2020, Central American imports of pharmaceutical products totaled $2.625 billion, an amount that exceeds by just 0.4% what was reported in the same period of 2019. Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"] Trade: Costa Rica and Panama Begin DialogueFriday, February 12, 2021 In order to overcome the trade conflict resulting from the blocking of the entry of animal products from Costa Rica into the Panamanian market, both nations have started a dialogue. The trade conflict between the two countries began in July 2020, when Panama informed the National Animal Health Service (SENASA), an agency of the Costa Rican Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), of the decision not to extend export authorization to a list of previously authorized Costa Rican establishments that have been trading in the Panamanian market for many years.
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Communication Radios: Business with Mexico up 36%Tuesday, March 2, 2021 In the first nine months of 2020, the countries of the region imported communication radios for $39 million, and Central American purchases from Mexican companies increased by 36% compared to what was reported in the same period of 2019. Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"] Supply Chains: Challenges in the New RealityTuesday, March 2, 2021 Reducing delivery times of products sold through digital channels and maintaining different supply and distribution options to face scenarios of trade restrictions are some of the challenges that companies face in this new business reality. In Central America during 2020, companies had to adjust quickly to the demands arising from the health crisis caused by the covid-19 outbreak, as restrictions on consumer mobility and face-to-face sales were continuous.
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Agrochemicals: Business in the Region up 30%Monday, March 1, 2021 During the first nine months of 2020, companies in Central American countries imported insecticides, herbicides and fungicides for $617 million, 30% more than what was reported in the same period of 2019, a rise that is explained by the behavior of purchases from all markets in the region. Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"] ZLC will Hold Virtual Trade FairWednesday, February 24, 2021 From March 1 to 5, 2021, the Colon Free Zone will hold its first multisector virtual trade fair, in which 200 exhibitors will participate and participants will be able to access product catalogs and receive direct attention from suppliers. The trade fair will feature a wide variety of mass consumption products, regional distribution logistics services and value-added products, informed the Colon Free Zone (CFZ). Retailers: Expectation for Lift of RestrictionsWednesday, February 17, 2021 After the Costa Rican government announced that they are evaluating the option of lifting as of March the sanitary measure that restricts the free circulation of vehicles on weekends, the trade union of the commercial sector considers that this would be a great relief for the economy. On Sunday night, the government informed that it is analyzing the elimination of the traffic restriction applied on weekends. Retail, Opportunities and PreferencesMonday, February 22, 2021 Typical frozen foods, traditional beverages from the countries of origin and vacuum-packed fresh vegetables are some of the products that have sales growth potential in U.S. supermarket chains. There are many opportunities for companies in the region, since it is estimated that two out of every three products placed on the shelves of U.S. supermarkets are of Latin American origin.
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Cell Phones: Regional Purchases Decline 11%Monday, February 22, 2021 During the first six months of 2020, Central American countries imported cell phones for $541 million, 11% less than what was reported in the same period of 2019, a drop that is mainly explained by the behavior of Panamanian, Honduran and Salvadoran purchases. Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
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Paint and Varnish Trade Falls 30%Thursday, February 11, 2021 In the first six months of 2020, trade of paints and varnishes between Central American countries amounted to $43 million, an amount that is 30% lower than that recorded in the same period of 2019. Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"] |
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