According to the report on International Trade Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean 2024, from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in the first half of 2024, El Salvador has maintained a stable performance in its exports of services, reporting a growth of 41% compared to the same period of the previous year. This increase reinforces the country’s position as an important player in the Central American region, demonstrating its ability to adapt and take advantage of global market opportunities.
Imports of services have shown a total increase of 12%. This adjustment could reflect a more efficient strategy in the management of resources or greater self-sufficiency in some key sectors of the salvadoran economy. Since, in the same period of 2023, imports reflected -9%.
In the regional context, other Central American countries have experienced different trends. Guatemala and Costa Rica, for example, recorded 14% growth in their exports, respectively, demonstrating a sustained recovery in the region. Nicaragua has also shown a 6% increase in its exports during the first half of 2024.
At the Latin American level, an 11% growth in exports has been recorded for the first half of 2024. Compared to 2023, this growth is lower, but reflects a stabilization in the economies of the region after several global economic challenges.
This panorama places El Salvador in a competitive position in terms of services exports, demonstrating its ability to take advantage of new opportunities and consolidate its participation in international trade.