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El Salvador’s economy grew by 5.1% during the second quarter of 2026, as highlighted by the Minister of Economy, María Luisa Hayem, during the XV Foro Internacional sobre Protección del Consumidor de las Américas, held in San Salvador. The official noted that this performance occurs within a context of economic dynamism, with 17 economic sectors showing growth. She also mentioned that the World Bank’s projection for the country’s growth this year is around 4.5%.
Hayem emphasized that economic growth also underscores the importance of strengthening consumer protection, as it is essential to ensure that products available on the market meet adequate safety and quality standards. The forum provided an opportunity to address the challenges institutions face in protecting the public amidst shifts in markets and commercial activities.
The gathering brought together representatives from various institutions and international organizations to share experiences and best practices related to consumer protection. A key topic was the safety of consumer products, an area focused on preventing risks to people’s lives, health, and physical well-being.
During his participation, the president of the Defensoría del Consumidor, Ricardo Salazar, stressed the importance of reinforcing product safety measures. “It is about protecting the lives, health, and safety of our families and those around us”, he said.
Salazar explained that one of the forum’s primary objectives is to disseminate a manual for implementing United Nations principles regarding product safety. This tool is intended to provide institutions with guidance to strengthen their efforts in this area and improve consumer protection.
The event also facilitated an exchange of experiences with international experts and representatives from consumer protection agencies who work on these issues daily. Cooperation among institutions is important for sharing knowledge, improving oversight practices, and responding to challenges that arise in the marketplace.
The head of the Defensoría del Consumidor, noted that the forum seeks to strengthen collaborative efforts among consumer protection agencies across the Americas. Regional coordination facilitates the exchange of information and experience, helping to improve initiatives aimed at preventing risks associated with products on the market.
The XV Foro Internacional sobre Protección del Consumidor de las Américas was organized by the Defensoría del Consumidor, in conjunction with Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre Comercio y Desarrollo (UNCTAD), Foro Iberoamericano de Agencias Gubernamentales de Protección al Consumidor (FIAGC), Red de Consumo Seguro y Salud and Secretaría Técnica, which is managed by the Organization of American States (OAS).
In this way, the event brought together the economic agenda and consumer protection within a single forum for discussion: while the country reports growth across various sectors, the participating institutions emphasized the importance of strengthening product safety and regional cooperation to protect families.
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