Economic outlook
in Central America
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
First Economic Situation Report 2012 has been issued by the Nicaraguan Foundation for Social and Economic Development.
Executive summary of the report by FUNIDES:
External Environment
The growth of world economy and in particular in the advanced economies in 2011 was lower than anticipated. The latest estimates from the Economist 1 Intelligence Unit (EIU, December 16, 2011) forecast a global economic growth of 3.8 percent for 2011 and 3.2 percent for 2012. These projections are lower than the 4.5 percent initially estimated by the IMF for 2011-2012.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
2012 will not be a good year for most of the Salvadoran productive sectors, whose executives expect no growth or only 1% growth.
The continuation of the slow recovery of the U.S. economy and increased exports to other Central American countries, are the only glimmers of hope to which businesses are clinging to reach 2% growth. If achieved, such growth rates will be considered very good for 2012, a year that will be marked by adverse conditions for the country's productive sectors.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Experts agree that 2012 will be a year of slight growth, low inflation and devaluation.
The 30 economists consulted by the weekly publication El Financiero, forecast a GDP growth of around 3.3%, mainly driven by construction and trade sectors through domestic consumption. Interest rates will remain at levels similar to 2011, while the exchange rate could vary between 3 and 6%, reaching between 520 and 540 colones to the dollar at the end of 2012.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
"Panama is still one of the fastest growing countries in the Americas."
A mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Corinne Delechat, visited Panama from 7 to November 18 to conduct the annual Article IV Consultation (1). At the end of the discussion, Ms. Delechat issued the following statement in Panama City:
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
With the exception of the financial sector, which shows a negative trend, the country's monthly index of economic activity confirms the good results, especially for the trade, industry and farming sectors.
Nicaragua's Monthly Index of Economic Activity (IMAE) for August, just published by the country's central bank (BCN in Spanish) has recorded growth of 7.6%.
Friday, October 14, 2011
In August national economic activity, as measured by the IMAE, showed the smallest monthly increase since May last year, barely increasing by 0.7% on an annualized basis.
According to analysis by Aldesa:
Between August 2010 and September of this year, activity advanced at a rate of 3.7% and the average variation was 3.7% lower for the tenth consecutive month. Both the manufacturing industry as well as agriculture had negative monthly variations, i.e. the value of their production was lower when compared with that recorded in July.
Friday, October 7, 2011
In the second quarter GDP rose by 3.7%, exceeding growth recorded in the previous quarter.
The strong economic dynamism experienced by Guatemala seems to be shared by all economic activities from agriculture to services.
While all sectors showed positive changes in the quarter under review, some performed better, such as the transport, communications and storage sector, which showed an increase of 4%.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Main conclusions regarding the Central American economy between 2008 and 2011.
The State of the Region Report is a tool by Central America for Central America, which analyzes and tracks the major challenges of sustainable human development. In this fourth report, the titles of the main conclusions on the topic Economy are presented:
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Fitch Ratings has issued a special report entitled, "Central American Banking: After the Crisis, a Disparate Evolution"
In Fitch's opinion the banks have shown a mixed performance in Central America during the period of the global financial crisis.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Economists believe the measure will have no short-term effects on the Costa Rican economy.
The recent decision to increase the maximum amount of debt in the USA will not lessen, at least in the short term, the structural problems that the North American country still faces.
Because of this, it is not expected that this measure will immediately impact on the Costa Rican economy, however the cuts made in government spending could lead to lower consumption by North Americans, and therefore reduce Costa Rican exports.
Friday, August 5, 2011
The Ministry of Finance has published the Preliminary Report of the General State Budget for 2012-2014.
It serves as basis for the General Budget of Revenues and Expenditures of the State, and establishes the economic variables to be used as assumptions, together with the maximum ceilings which the Cabinet can authorize per year.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Authorities from the Central American countries will discuss with the IMF the outlook for the coming years.
Two years after the international financial crisis significantly affect the economies of Central America, the authorities of the isthmus nations are meeting to discuss progress of the fiscal and economic reforms that have been implemented.
An article in Infolatam.com reports: "regional monetary authorities and the IMF will discuss progress in rebuilding fiscal space and ensure debt sustainability, the strength of the financial, regulation and supervision systems and prudential framework, and the interaction between structural reforms and economic growth, among other issues, according to the official program.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The recording is the highest in the last two years as a result of rising prices for transportation, food and beverages.
The change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in June compared to May 2011 showed an increase in the National Urban of 0.1 percent and Other Urban 0.8 percent, and for the districts of Panama and San Miguelito a decrease of 0.1 percent.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Forecasts by private consultants and the government agree that in 2011 the Panamanian economy will grow 9% due to the combination of public and private investment, 11.6% and 8% of GDP respectively.
An article by Edith Castillo Duarte in Prensa.com reports the upward shift of the expected growth of Panama’s economy in 2011 by both the government and the consulting firm INDESA, and how estimates of both parties agree. During the first quarter economic growth has already exceeded expectations, reaching 9.7%.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
According to the 49th business survey from the Association of Social Studies and Research, the pattern of production and employment shows that economic growth has not been strengthened.
“Presentation of results of the 49th. Business Association Survey Research and Social Studies (ASIES) to April 2011.
Every three months, the ASIES survey team contacts Guatemalan companies that advertise in the phone book by telephone.
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