BLP’s summary of the most important regional news and opportunities offers an overview of the economic, social, and political landscape of Central America at just a click away.
Costa Rica: Limón Marina Project Moves Forward with Unanimous Approval and Promises to Transform Development in the Caribbean
The Legislative Assembly approved, in its first reading and with the unanimous vote of all political parties, the bill authorizing the construction of a marina in Limón. The legislation expands JAPDEVA’s authority to establish strategic partnerships with public or private entities, to develop investment, infrastructure, and technology projects, and services for the benefit of the province. The approved text incorporates oversight and transparency mechanisms that strengthen the project’s legal certainty. The marina will serve as a magnet for investment in nautical tourism, port infrastructure, and specialized services, transforming the economic dynamics of the Costa Rican Caribbean.
Costa Rica Strengthens Its Export Platform with Sustained Growth in the First Five Months of the Year
Costa Rica’s goods exports maintained a positive trajectory during the first five months of 2026, with the precision and medical equipment sector leading the way, followed by the agricultural sector and the food industry, according to PROCOMER figures. Asia emerged as the fastest-growing region among export destinations, while Europe and Central America also recorded significant increases. The Minister of Foreign Trade emphasized that these results reflect the strength of an export platform with diversified products and destinations, consolidating Costa Rica’s position as a mature and competitive export-oriented economy.
International Reserves Reach Historic Levels, Reflecting the Economy’s Strength
The Central Bank of Costa Rica’s international reserves exceeded the reference range established by the Board of Directors for the first time, reaching unprecedented levels equivalent to nearly 18% of GDP — a sign of the country’s macroeconomic strength and financial stability. The increase results from net purchases in the foreign exchange market, higher foreign currency deposits from the Ministry of Finance, and returns from reserve management. This scenario of robust reserves and prudent management reinforces investor confidence in the stability of Costa Rica’s financial system.
Historic Reform Paves the Way for Green Hydrogen and Biofuels as State Policy
The Legislative Assembly approved, by broad consensus, a bill that expands RECOPE’s authority to operate with green hydrogen and biofuels, marking a milestone in the country’s energy transition. The reform authorizes the state-owned company to research, acquire, import, export, process, store, and market fuels produced from sources other than petroleum. The Public Services Regulatory Authority also expands its authority to regulate green hydrogen and biofuels, ensuring a clear and predictable regulatory framework for all stakeholders in the sector.
The Southern Region Moves Forward with the Construction of Its International Airport Through New Planning Phases
Costa Rica’s Southern Region is taking concrete steps toward constructing its international airport, a strategic project aimed at boosting tourism and economic development. With the archaeological survey now complete on the designated land, the way is clear to proceed with developing a new master plan. A key advantage is that the land belongs to government institutions, simplifying management and reducing time and costs associated with land acquisition. The new infrastructure represents a concrete opportunity for investment in tourism, services, and real estate development in a region with unique natural resources.
El Salvador Inaugurates the Expansion of Its International Airport, Strengthening Its Global Connectivity
President Nayib Bukele inaugurated the expansion of the San Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport, completed in a record eight months, significantly expanding the capacity of the country’s main airport. Financed with the Autonomous Executive Port Commission’s own funds and without resorting to public debt, the project is part of a portfolio of strategic investments totaling over $300 million. The new facilities incorporate state-of-the-art security and trade facilitation technologies, positioning the airport as world-class infrastructure and reinforcing El Salvador’s appeal as a regional connectivity hub.
The Pharmaceutical Industry Is Expanding Through New Investments and Consolidating Its Regional Leadership in Exports
El Salvador’s pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a cycle of reinvestment and production expansion, driven by improvements in the country’s security conditions and incentives for new investments. The sector has accumulated nearly $200 million in investments over the past decade, generating more than 6,000 direct jobs with salaries three times the minimum wage. Member laboratories lead the sector’s exports throughout Central America, the United States, and the Caribbean, with an expansion strategy targeting South American markets, consolidating the pharmaceutical industry as a strategic driver of the country’s reindustrialization.
The Country’s Largest Solar Plant Is Inaugurated, Consolidating Leadership in Renewable Energy
AES El Salvador and ECORAY inaugurated the Santa Ana IV solar plant, the largest photovoltaic facility within AES’s operations in the country. The plant incorporates bifacial panels and solar tracking systems that maximize energy production, helping to significantly reduce carbon emissions each year. With this inauguration, AES El Salvador has accumulated approximately $270 million in solar photovoltaic investments, positioning itself as one of the main drivers of the diversification of the national energy mix and reinforcing the country’s appeal for investment in renewable energy.
IDB Approves Major Financing to Strengthen the Country’s Higher Education and Human Capital
The Inter-American Development Bank approved a loan to expand access to higher education for tens of thousands of vulnerable young people in El Salvador through the Academic and Community Integration Program. The initiative will benefit students in the public school system, women, people with disabilities, and returning migrants through scholarships, cash transfers, and vocational guidance programs. This operation constitutes the first phase of a credit line providing financing of up to $300 million, demonstrating multilateral commitment to strengthening the Salvadoran education system long-term.
San Salvador Strengthens Its Real Estate Market with High-Appreciation Areas That Are Attractive to Investors
The real estate market in the San Salvador Metropolitan Area is experiencing its strongest expansion cycle in recent years, with Colonia Escalón, San Benito, and Santa Elena established as hubs of high appreciation potential, while new areas like Nuevo Cuscatlán and Santa Tecla emerge as destinations for domestic and international investors. This momentum is driven by a record pace of building permits, a shortage of land in strategic areas, tax incentives for high-rise projects, and sustained demand from executives, diplomats, and the Salvadoran diaspora. Dollarization, improved security conditions, and record-high remittances create a favorable environment for real estate development in the capital.
Guatemala Maintains Solid Growth Outlook and Exceeds Regional Estimates for 2026
The Bank of Guatemala projects economic growth above the regional average for 2026, driven by the normalization of international oil prices and the strong performance of services, trade, and industry, according to the report Macroeconomic Context and Outlook 2026. These projections exceed the IMF’s most recent estimates and reflect the country’s macroeconomic strength, characterized by high exchange rate stability, robust international reserves, and better-than-expected tax revenue. With three consecutive years of sustained growth and solid macroeconomic fundamentals, Guatemala is cementing its appeal as an investment destination in the region.
Guatemala Allocates Significant Resources to Boost Local Development and Reduce Territorial Disparities in 2027
Guatemala’s National Council for Urban and Rural Development approved a significant allocation of resources to finance infrastructure and local development projects across the country’s departments during the 2027 fiscal year. The distribution follows a methodology prioritizing territorial equity, considering variables such as population size, extreme poverty levels, the Human Development Index, and citizen participation. President Bernardo Arévalo emphasized that this investment is part of a new strategy to consolidate a more efficient state, with greater traceability of public investment and decisions made at the local level.
Guatemala Ensures Liquidity in the Financial System for Bonus 14 Payments and End-of-Month Holidays
The Bank of Guatemala has activated a contingency plan to ensure the availability of cash in the financial system, in anticipation of the seasonal increase in demand driven by the Bonus 14 payment and the June holidays. Authorities emphasized that the operation is temporary and technical in nature, with no effect on inflation or permanent monetary expansion, as the funds will return to the Central Bank within a few weeks. The Bonus 14, equivalent to one month’s salary, represents one of the most dynamic periods for domestic consumption in Guatemala, with a positive impact on commerce, services, and overall economic activity.
Honduras Attracts German Interest with Investment, Infrastructure, and Competitiveness Agenda
President Nasry Asfura visited Berlin to strengthen economic ties between Honduras and Germany, meeting with both the German Foreign Minister and representatives of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The agenda focused on attracting investment, generating employment, and modernizing the country’s business environment. Asfura presented the strategic advantages of Honduras’s logistics infrastructure, highlighting its main ports as key platforms for regional trade, as well as an ambitious road plan that includes the construction of thousands of kilometers of paved highways. The German Chamber recognized the potential for fostering new cooperation initiatives.
Honduras Opens New Technological Alliance with Ukraine in Agriculture and Digitalization
The presidents of Honduras and Ukraine agreed during the first-ever visit of a Honduran president to Kyiv to explore the transfer of Ukrainian technologies in agriculture, drones, and digitalization. President Asfura highlighted the potential of Ukrainian agricultural technology to improve productivity and food security in Honduras, while Zelensky expressed willingness to share Ukrainian expertise in digitalization to improve public services and business competitiveness. This diplomatic opening diversifies Honduras’s strategic alliances, bringing the country closer to partners with advanced technological capabilities in high-impact productive sectors.
Business Sector Promotes Electricity Reforms to Strengthen Competitiveness and Attract Investment
The Tegucigalpa Chamber of Commerce and Industry reiterated its support for reforms to the Honduran electricity subsector, stating that modernizing the energy system is a priority to guarantee reliable, efficient, and affordable service for citizens and the productive sector. The CCIT’s executive director emphasized that current deficiencies in electricity supply directly impact business operations and reduce competitiveness in national and international markets. The CCIT called on the National Congress to move forward with the debate and approval of the necessary reforms to guarantee the long-term sustainability of the electricity system.
Honduras Strengthens Ties with the Dominican Republic in Tourism, Investment, and Energy
Honduras and the Dominican Republic are advancing a joint agenda to strengthen trade, tourism, and investment relations, opening new opportunities for both countries in the Caribbean and Central America. Among the initiatives explored is the possibility of establishing direct flights from the Dominican Republic to San Pedro Sula, which would boost two-way tourism between the two nations. The discussions also addressed the energy sector as a key area for sustainable development, as well as the exchange of experiences in trade and industry. This rapprochement reflects Honduras’s strategy of diversifying its regional alliances and attracting new investment and tourism flows from the Caribbean.
Nicaragua Accelerates Economic Growth Driven by Exports, Construction, and Tourism
Nicaragua’s economy experienced solid expansion during the first quarter of 2026, accelerating its growth rate compared to the end of the previous year, according to the Central Bank of Nicaragua. Mining, construction, commerce, and tourism led productive dynamism, with the hotel and restaurant sector also showing outstanding performance. Exports grew faster than imports, boosting the contribution of net external demand, while fixed investment showed significant progress. These results confirm that Nicaragua began 2026 with a solid, diversified growth rate supported by key productive sectors that generate favorable conditions for private investment.
BLP Insight
Costa Rica. Food Sanitary Registration in Costa Rica: New Official Criterion
The Ministry of Health issues an official criterion to standardize the application of food registration regulations for processed foods. It clarifies that a third-party manufacturing contract is only required when such a relationship actually exists, not when the product is purchased as a finished good. The registry holder must always be the product owner, bearing full legal responsibility, and each case will be evaluated individually based on the documentation submitted.
Costa Rica Approves Reform Enabling Strategic Alliances and Marina Concessions with JAPDEVA
Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly approved in first debate a reform to the Organic Law of JAPDEVA, empowering this port authority to enter into strategic alliances and grant marina concessions to domestic and international private capital. The reform enables the development of port, logistics, and tourism infrastructure in the province of Limón under a clear legal framework, with terms of up to 50 years.
Events
Virtual Training: “360° Update: Key Regulatory Changes in the Free Trade Zone Regime”
The Free Trade Zone Regime continues to evolve, and staying up to date with regulatory changes is essential for maintaining competitiveness in the sector. In partnership with AZOFRAS, we invite you to join this virtual training session, where we will discuss the latest regulatory developments and the key considerations companies should keep in mind to adapt effectively.
📅 July 21 | 9:00 a.m. | Microsoft Teams
*Please note that this training session will be delivered in Spanish only.Economic Index
| Country | Exchange Rate (USD) | Basic Passive Rate | Monetary Policy Rate | S&P | Moody’s | Fitch | Inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | 454.64 | 3.66% | 3.25% | BB | Ba2 | BB | -0.97% |
| El Salvador | 8.75 | 4.58% | N/A | B- | B3 | B- | 2.53% |
| Guatemala | 7.62 | 4.74% | 3.50% | BB+ | Ba1 | BB+ | 2.86% |
| Honduras | 26.71 | 6.74% | 5.75% | BB- | B1 | N/A | 6.09% |
| Nicaragua | 36.62 | 1.45% | 5.75% | B+ | B2 | B | 3.72% |
26/06/2026 | Source: secmca.org
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