Key Competitive Attractions
Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America. It was ranked as the top location in the region for starting a business, in the 2011 Doing Business Report (World Bank Group). The country is ideally situated as an export platform to markets in the United States, Mexico, Central- and South America.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) grew by 17% from 2009 to 2010. Prime target sectors include textiles, energy, telecommunications and tourism. FDI in the latter category grew by 74.8% from 2009 to 2010. Nicaragua has the highest rate of FDI as a percentage of GDP in Central America.
Nicaraguan exports have grown by 22% annually from 2003 to 2010. Traditional exports include coffee, meat, and sugar. However, the fastest growth rates are seen in new products, such as auto parts, gold, seafood, cheese, beans, peanuts, sesame seeds, melons and onions.
Nicaragua is signatory to the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), which also includes the United States; the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA), and the Central-American Common Market (CACM). Nicaragua has bilateral free trade agreements with Mexico, Chile, Taiwan and Panama. Agreements under negotiation include the EU, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Canada, Mercosur and the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI).
Assistance and Support For New Business Investors
PRONicaragua is the National Investment Promotion Agency of Nicaragua. The agency provides support services to potential foreign investors, including tailor-made information packages, referrals to relevant private business and government contacts, start-up facilitation, assistance in finding suitable commercial property, and aftercare.
