Central America. Market Opportunities for U.S. Exporters. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, Nicaragua

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1 Central America Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, Nicaragua Market Opportunities for U.S. Exporters Ireas Cook Regional Commercial Counselor Americas Business Forum 2012

2 Central America Region at a Glance Population: 40 Million U.S. Exports = Over $30 Billion in 2011, 79% higher than 2005 Combined GDP: $135 Billion GDP Expected Growth: 3.5% Very Receptive To U.S. Goods & Services

3 Why Exports to CAFTA Region? 40% of Region s Imports are from the U.S. On-Going Market Liberalization Proximity and Openness to U.S. U.S. firms & Central American Firms are Regionalizing Central American Integration: Power Grid, Customs, Highway, & Security CAFTA advantages

4 Costa Rica Highly Skilled Labor Force Diversified Economy Political and Social Stability Friendly Business Environment Attractive Tax Incentives Safe market Sophisticated Consumers 70,000 U.S. Permanent Residents Close Proximity to the U.S.

5 El Salvador Dollarized Economy Receptive to U.S. Products/Services US-El Salvador PFG Initiative U.S. is El Salvador s Principal Source of Imports and Foreign Investment Air Transportation Hub For C. America U.S. exports in 2011 were 82% higher than in 2005

6 Guatemala Largest market in the region for U.S. goods and services Real GDP (2011): USD 26.5 billion U.S. is one of Guatemala s top trading partners (US Imports = USD 4.1 billion for USDOC) U.S.Trade surplus with Guatemala USD 2.0 billion in 2011

7 Honduras U.S. Exports Increased 38.40% since CAFTA Entry Into Force U.S. is the Largest Investor, accounting for 70% of Total FDI Inflow Certified Largest Seaport In Central America Diversified Economy with Strong Textile Industry Democracy Restored Following 2009 Political Crisis

8 Nicaragua Safest Country In Central America Rich In Natural Resources U.S. Exports have increased 57% since CAFTA Entry Lowest Wage Rates In CA & Large Labor Pool Privatization Under Way

9 Belize Open & private sector led economy; Relies heavily on imports U.S. is Belize s leading trading partner Belize has 2nd highest per capita income in Central America English is official language Primary sectors are tourism, mining, petroleum, agriculture, and fishing Not a CAFTA-DR member, but has FTA with Central America and Dominican Republic

10 Central America Best Prospects Industries El Salvador Auto Parts & Service Equipment Medical/Dental Equipment Printing & Graphics Travel & Tourism Nicaragua Building/Construction Food Processing/Packaging Hotel/Restaurant Medical/Dental Equipment Honduras Auto Parts & Service Medical Equipment Renewable Energy Food Processing/Packaging Safety/Security Travel & Tourism Guatemala Auto Parts & Service Equipment Forestry & Woodworking Machinery Safety & Security Travel & Tourism

11 Central America Best Prospects Industries Belize Hotel/Restaurant Food Processing/Packaging Petroleum Equipment Travel & Tourism Agricultural Machinery Costa Rica Auto parts and Service Equipment Travel & Tourism Medical Equipment

12 Major Projects Costa Rica Costa Rica Maritime Maritime Port: Port: $20 $20M Mn Container Container terminal/port terminal/port Construction Construction $35 $35M Mn Port equipment Port equipment Fuel Fuel Storage Tanks Tanks $16M Mn Construction Construction of 7 tanks of 7 tanks Guatemala Guatemala Transportation: $7 Bn Highway and railroad construction Road Transportation: & Water: $160Mn $7B Rural Highway road / and Railroad water construction improvement, including water sanitation Electricity: Road & Water: $1Bn $160M 600MW Rural roads purchase / Water power Sanitation contract from new and existing plants, and different generation sources Electricity: $1B 600MW

13 Major Projects Costa Rica El Salvador Maritime Port: $20 Mn Container terminal/port Construction Transportation System: $45M Construction Works, Metropolitan Area $35 Mn Port equipment International Airport: $427M Modernization / Expansion Fuel Electricity: Storage Tanks $16 $900M Mn 350 MW Construction Renewable Energy of 7 tanks Guatemala Nicaragua Transportation: $7 Bn Highway and railroad construction Road Oil & Refinery: Water: Electricity: $160Mn $6B Rural Government road and owned water improvement, including $1.1B water Concession sanitation of 253MW new hydroelectric Electricity: Tourism Infrastructure: $1Bn $426M 600MW Concession purchase 82MW power geothermal contract Project from new and $250B existing New plants, Private and Island different Resort generation sources

14 Honduras Major Projects Costa Rica Palmerola Civil Airport: $350M Construction / Upgrades Maritime Port: $20 Mn Container terminal/port Construction Puerto Cortes: $35 $225M Mn Port Modernization Port equipment Infrastructure: $100M Prison Construction and Equipment Fuel Storage Tanks $16 $240M Mn Concession Construction of Logistics of Corridor 7 tanks 392 km Guatemala Belize Transportation: $7 Bn Highway and railroad construction Road Agriculture: & Water: $160Mn $25M Rural Sugar road Cane and Factory water / improvement, Cayo District including $62M water Sugar sanitation Processing Plant / Orange Walk Dist. Electricity: $1Bn $10M 600MW Mechanized purchase Farming: power Grains/Vegetables contract from new and existing plants, and different generation sources Tourism Infrastructure: Roads / Resorts

15 Thank You Ireas Cook, Commercial Counselor for Central America Region Angela Dawkins, Commercial Officer, El Salvador Mary Swartz, Economic/Commercial Officer, Nicaragua Joe Boski, Economic/Commercial Officer, Belize Emily Gereffi, CAFTA Trade Attaché

16 Contact us today to connect with a world of opportunity. export.gov 800.USA.TRADE