A. M. 
The trade future of Central America and the CAPARD region (Central America and Panama) is looking bright, with trade growth projections reaching 3.6% in 2024 and 2025, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO). These figures highlight the resilience of the region, which is positioning itself as a key player in the global economic landscape despite the challenges facing international trade.
In particular, the Center for Economic Integration Studies (CEIE) with data from the IMF, has pointed out that after 5.2% growth in 2023, Central America has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to recover, outperforming global growth of 2.4%. This trend is expected to continue, driven by an improvement in economic conditions and an increase in the volume of imports.
For the CAPARD region, growth was 4% in 2023, but a significant increase of 1.4 percentage points is anticipated in 2024, reaching 5.4%. However, a slight decline to 4.7% in 2025 is anticipated, underscoring the need for sustainable strategies to maintain this momentum.
Meanwhile, advanced economies have seen growth of only 1.8%, in contrast to 3.3% in emerging and developing markets. This scenario provides Central America with the opportunity to strengthen its position in international trade, benefiting from a more dynamic environment in the coming years.
With a favorable outlook, the nations of Central America and CAPARD should take advantage of this moment to encourage investment and consumption, ensuring that the projected growth materializes and consolidating their role in global trade.
