SMEs
in Central America
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
In Central America a pension plan, that is unprecedented in the world, will be offered to users of microcredit.
The Central American and Caribbean Microfinance Network (Redcamif) is driving a pilot program, the first of its kind in the world and in the region, called Retirement Funds-Micro Pensions as an option for customers in the sector to have a pension fund.
Friday, May 18, 2012
The Nicaraguan Foundation for Economic and Social Development (FUNIDES), has presented a study entitled "Program For Improvement of Coffee Production for Small and Medium Producers."
From the press release by FUNIDES:
The Nicaraguan Foundation for Economic and Social Development (FUNIDES), presents the study "Program For Improvement of Coffee Production for Small and Medium Producers (May 2012)" prepared in July by the consultants Julio Solórzano Lanzas and Félix Cáceres Trujillo.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Panama and Los Estados Puebla and Toluca total 57 million consumers that are the target of the second edition of the Mesa Mesoamerica.
There are 57 million potential consumers of Guatemalan products in the states of Mexico and Panama, which will be targeted in the second edition of the Mesa Mesoamerica, which is being run by the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport).
Friday, May 11, 2012
The Development Bank of El Salvador has received about 700 investment prospects recently and is preparing to grant loans starting from this May.
"We have received more than 700 potential prospects, some of which some are already in advanced stages," said Oscar Lindo, chairman of the Development Bank of El Salvador (BANDESAL) to Laprensagrafica.com.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The Embassy of the Republic of Taiwan is organizing seminars to publicise the demand for products such as nuts, paints, tuna, and spices.
"We believe that SMEs have little access to long-range markets like Taiwan and are focusing more on neighboring markets, but this is not enough, so we have prepared this seminar so as to boost exports to other markets," said Andres Liu, minister counselor from the Embassy of Taiwan, according Elmundo.com.sv.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The Development Bank of El Salvador’s imminent start of operations may be the long awaited solution to the lack of credit for productive activities.
The difficulty in accessing financing has been a limiting factor for the proper functioning of the productive sectors in recent years, a view shared by, for example, Elena de Alfaro, president of the Foundation for Economic and Social Development (Fusades).
Monday, May 7, 2012
The demand for loans for micro and small enterprises was around $900 million over the past two years and went largely unfulfilled.
Data from the Panamanian Network of Microfinancers (Redpamif in Spanish) show that specialized microfinance institutions granted in that period about $150 million in loans to micro and small enterprises.
Another part of the demand, some $120 million, was attended to by other financial market participants through consumer loans.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Changes to the law on development banking have suffered a delay of 5 months, which has prevented the use of $320 million.
Delays to the expected legislative changes to the Law of the System for Banking Development (SBD) now add up to 5 months.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
The retail giant has selected 12 regional SMEs manufacturing innovative products at reasonable prices, who will have the opportunity to offer their products in stores belonging to the chain.
About 12 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Central America were chosen within the program of corporate social responsibility " Una mano para crecer”(Give a hand in order to grow) to be suppliers of Walmart stores in Central America and Mexico, and the stores of the Despensa de don Juan, Maxi-Despensas and Despensa Familiar.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Increased credit is available for mini, small and medium enterprises in the Banco Popular and Banco Nacional in Costa Rica, bringing the amount available to $740 million.
Banco Nacional now has ¢ 250,000 million ($493.66 million) for the productive sector, 50,000 million colones ($98.7 million) more than in 2011, said Victor Eduardo Acosta, director of the entity’s Development Bank.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Between 2010 and 2011 the microfinance portfolio increased by 23%, going from $84 million to $104 million, averaging $529 per loan.
From the Journal of the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala:
Microfinance institutions in Guatemala maintain a dynamic support for the development and growth of thousands of micro and small businesses around the country, especially in rural areas. In this regard, the Association of Microfinance (AGREMIF) plays an important role in lending to thousands of households that undertake or seek to expand their businesses, said Roberto Avila, secretary of this association.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Companies involved in this project led by Agexport attended 157 meetings, closing deals of $5 million in the first six months.
Agexport President, Francisco Menendez, said that 65% of small and medium businesses managed to close business using the methodology of the Mesa Mesoamerica.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Over 50% of SMEs fail before they are three years old, 90% are no more than five years old and only 10% survive.
In the case of Nicaragua the subject is sensitive, "because 60 percent of its business backbone is made up of micro, small and medium enterprises, which account for 40 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), estimated at more than six billion dollars.
Friday, March 16, 2012
The Development Bank in El Salvador has received about three hundred projects which it could potentially fund, in the category of medium and small businesses, and will start analyzing them next month.
Oscar Lindo, chairman of the state agency, indicated that they have yet to define service guidelines between the Bandesal and private banks. Once they have been defined analysis of potential funding will start.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
In Costa Rica an agreement between the Chamber of Commerce and the National Stock Exchange facilitates the capitalization of SMEs through the Alternative Market for Shares.
"The Market for Alternative Shares (MAPA in Spanish) is a platform for SMEs with high growth potential to become professional, and to raise capital through the private sale of shares.
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