Business Law Perspectives – April 30–May 7, 2026

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 Maintains Economic Stability Despite a Challenging Global Environment Costa Rica projects stable economic growth of 3.6% for 2026, maintaining a positive outlook despite international uncertainty and rising oil prices. Inflation is expected to remain low, at around 1.4%, below the Central Bank’s target range, thanks to the moderate impact of fuel prices on local prices. In addition, the exchange rate is expected to remain stable below ₡500 per dollar, reflecting a solid supply of foreign currency. Taken together, these factors point to a resilient economy with solid fundamentals in the face of external shocks. Read more Juan Santamaría Airport Drives Tourism Growth with Record-High Passenger Numbers Juan Santamaría International Airport recorded 7.9% growth during the 2025–2026 peak season, reaching over 3.2 million passengers and setting a new all-time high. This performance was driven by increased air connectivity, new international routes, and efficient operations with more than 150 daily flights. Additionally, improvements in infrastructure, technology, and processes—such as self-check-in—optimized the traveler experience. The growth reflects Costa Rica’s tourism strengthening and positions the airport as a key hub in the region. Read more Construction Sector Pushes Agenda to Accelerate Infrastructure and Growth in Costa Rica The Costa Rican Chamber of Construction urged newly elected legislators to prioritize infrastructure projects, highlighting their key impact on the country’s competitiveness and economic development. The association proposes streamlining laws on public procurement, expropriations, and public-private partnerships to attract investment and unblock strategic projects. In addition, it proposes creating long-term sectoral plans that ensure continuity between administrations and reduce delays. The sector, which accounts for 3.6% of GDP and employs 6.7% of the working population, seeks to establish itself as a driver of growth and job creation in Costa Rica. Read more Israel Strengthens Strategic Ties with Costa Rica During Historic Presidential Visit Israeli President Isaac Herzog will make an official visit to Panama and Costa Rica to strengthen cooperation and deepen strategic relations with both countries. During his tour, he will hold meetings with government officials to promote partnerships in various fields and participate in key events, including the inauguration of Costa Rican President Laura Fernández. The visit, considered historic, reflects Israel’s growing interest in consolidating its presence in Latin America and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the region. Read more Costa Rica is Promoting Biomethane as an Innovative Solution for Decarbonizing Heavy-Duty Transportation Costa Rica is making progress in developing biomethane as a clean-energy alternative for heavy-duty freight transport, backed by a 2040 roadmap that includes 16 strategic actions. This renewable gas, produced from organic waste, would help reduce emissions, improve air quality, and strengthen the country’s energy security. Studies highlight favorable conditions, including the availability of biomass and proven technologies, as well as their implementation in key logistics corridors. The initiative positions biomethane as a significant step toward decarbonization and aids the transition to a more sustainable economy. Read more El Salvador is Positioning Itself as an Innovation Hub by Attracting Investment Through Tokenization El Salvador is attracting growing interest from investors thanks to its advanced regulatory framework for digital assets, which facilitates tokenization as a new form of financing. This technology allows assets to be converted into digital versions that can be purchased in small amounts, expanding access to capital and promoting financial inclusion. Local companies can now obtain financing more quickly and at lower costs, while global investors find new opportunities in the country. This model is driving job creation, attracting foreign capital, and positioning El Salvador as a regional leader in innovative financial markets. Read more New Law Boosts Investment and Employment in El Salvador with Immediate Results The Law for the Promotion of Investment Expansion has already generated $233 million in new projects and more than 1,400 jobs in El Salvador in less than three months. With 11 prequalified initiatives and more than 36 companies in the pipeline, the legislation is encouraging established companies to grow and reinvest in the country. Sectors such as food, construction, and manufacturing are leading this new wave of expansion, strengthening the industrial base. This approach positions El Salvador as both an investment destination and a platform for sustainable business growth. Read more Salvadoran Coffee Boosts Exports with Nearly 40% Growth in 2026 El Salvador’s coffee exports saw strong growth of nearly 40% in value during the first six months of the 2025–2026 crop year, reaching over $92 million. Both higher export volumes and better international coffee prices drove the increase. North America remains the main market for Salvadoran coffee, followed by Europe and Asia. In addition, production showed positive signs, reflecting a recovery in the sector after years affected by coffee rust and climate change. This performance reinforces coffee’s position as one of the country’s main agricultural products and a leading export. Read more El Salvador is Establishing Itself as a Key Destination for Technology Investment in the Region The United States has noted that El Salvador is building one of the most attractive investment climates in the region, which has sparked the interest of more than 75 U.S. companies. During a meeting focused on supply chains and technology manufacturing, the country’s potential as a strategic partner and its commitment to sectors such as semiconductors and hardware were highlighted. Salvadoran authorities presented incentives and favorable conditions to attract foreign capital and strengthen the industry. This momentum reflects a clear strategy to position the country as a key player in the global economy and boost its growth. Read more El Salvador is Boosting Its Tourism Sector with Record Growth in International Visitors El Salvador welcomed 1.7 million international tourists between January and April 2026, a 35% increase compared to the same period last year. Most visitors come from Guatemala, the United States, and Honduras, cementing the country’s status as an attractive regional destination. This momentum has also generated $871 million in revenue during the first quarter, bolstering the national economy. The government emphasizes that improved security and tourism promotion have been key to this growth, setting a goal of reaching 4.2 million visitors for the entire year. Read more Guatemala Consolidates Its Economic Stability with Moody’s Support and Solid Fiscal Fundamentals Moody’s reaffirmed Guatemala’s Ba1 rating with a stable outlook, highlighting its sustained growth and prudent fiscal management, which strengthen its economic stability. The country maintains growth between 3.5% and 4%, driven largely by remittances, and has one of the lowest public debt levels in the region. Although structural challenges such as low tax collection and infrastructure limitations persist, the economy shows resilience in the face of external risks. This international endorsement reinforces confidence in Guatemala as a stable market with long-term development potential. Read more Guatemala’s La Aurora Airport is Making Progress on Its Modernization La Aurora International Airport presented significant progress in its modernization process to the business community, highlighting improvements in infrastructure, security, and operations. Key achievements include new electrical systems, security equipment such as scanners and X-ray machines, and improvements in signage, cleanliness, and interior spaces. These measures aim to enhance the user experience and ensure more efficient operations. The project reflects Guatemala’s commitment to strengthening its main gateway and enhancing its competitiveness in the region. Read more Guatemala Boosts Access to Housing with a Historic Investment of Over $500 Million Guatemala will expand its “Mi Primera Casa” program with a projected investment of $512 million to increase access to decent housing for thousands of families. The initiative has already benefited more than 5,000 people and facilitated the purchase of more than 1,200 homes, with others in the pipeline. This effort, supported by the government, the banking sector, and the private sector, seeks to stimulate the country’s social and economic development. The program maintains high standards of transparency and aims to continue growing in the coming years, solidifying its position as a key pillar of social policy. Read more Honduras Strengthens Public Investment with Strategic Support from the IDB The Government of Honduras made progress in reviewing its project portfolio with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), reaffirming its commitment to economic growth and job creation. During the meeting, participants reviewed progress and priorities to optimize the implementation of initiatives in critical sectors such as infrastructure and social development. The IDB reiterated its continued support, while authorities highlighted the importance of streamlining disbursements and improving administrative processes. This collaboration aims to establish a responsible investment model that builds confidence, stimulates the economy, and strengthens the country’s development. Read more Honduras is Ushering in a New Era for Its Coffee Industry Through Innovation and Record Exports Honduras is committed to modernizing its coffee industry by incorporating technology and innovative practices that improve bean quality and productivity. Companies like Becamo are leading this effort, exporting more than one million quintals and generating approximately $350 million in foreign exchange annually. The project aims to renew the coffee-growing landscape and benefit both small and large producers, strengthening international competitiveness. This strategy reflects a partnership between the public and private sectors to position the country as a global leader in high-quality coffee. Read more Honduran Financial System Strengthens with 22% Growth Driven by Savings and Remittances Honduras’ financial system recorded a 22% increase in public deposits, driven by rising savings and the flow of family remittances. This momentum reflects greater public confidence in the stability and soundness of the banking sector. In addition, liquidity remains high, enabling the financing of economic activity, while solvency exceeds prudential standards. These results consolidate a favorable financial environment that supports the country’s economic growth. Read more Honduras Keeps Inflation Under Control and Strengthens Economic Stability Inflation in Honduras moderated to 3.96% in March 2026, from the 4.98% recorded at the end of 2025. This trend reflects greater price stability, supported by methodological improvements in its measurement that now include more regions and products, in line with international standards. Although the impact of some goods may vary, the overall indicator points to a more stable economic environment. This result strengthens confidence in the Honduran economy and its ability to withstand external pressures such as rising fuel prices. Read more Nicaraguan Ports Boost Trade with an Increase in International Cargo Nicaragua’s commercial ports reported an increase in international cargo, handling more than 143,500 metric tons in a single week, reflecting greater momentum in foreign trade. The Port of Corinto led operations with the arrival of ships carrying various products, including fuels, grains, vehicles, and industrial goods, along with exports to markets such as Canada, Belgium, and China. This growth is also complemented by increased activity at domestic and tourist ports, demonstrating a boost in the country’s logistics and economic activity. Read more Costa Rica and Guatemala Lead the Growth of Impact Investing in Central America Costa Rica and Guatemala are establishing themselves as key destinations for impact investing in the region, where nearly $420 million in assets focused on social and environmental projects are already being managed. This type of investment, which combines financial returns with measurable benefits, is growing rapidly in Latin America, driving sectors such as clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and financial inclusion. While Costa Rica stands out for its institutional strength and sustainability efforts, Guatemala excels in entrepreneurial dynamism and innovation. Strengthening the state’s role and fostering public-private partnerships will be key to attracting more capital and boosting regional development. Read more

BLP Insights

Remote Work in Costa Rica’s Free Trade Zones: Limits, Risks, and Compliance Remote work has significantly transformed the way companies operating under Costa Rica’s Free Trade Zone Regime manage their operations and workforce. Although the legal framework was amended to allow teleworking, companies must maintain a reasonable balance between remote work and on-site operations at their authorized facilities. This requires a careful review of internal policies and corporate practices to ensure compliance with the regime’s obligations and proper oversight of assets and operations. Additionally, the lack of clear official guidelines creates further challenges for implementing hybrid work models. Read the full article to learn about the key legal considerations and practical challenges companies should take into account. Read more

Costa Rica Enacts new Digital Services and E-commerce Law

Costa Rica enacted the “Law on Digital Services Governance and Electronic Commerce”, establishing a comprehensive legal framework governing digital activities and online platforms. The Law strengthens consumer protection in digital environments and reinforces obligations applicable to digital service providers, online platforms and intermediary services. Read more

Economic Index

8/5/2026 | Source: https://www.secmca.org/

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