Textiles & apparel firms to partake in EXPOAPEN Nicaragua

During the event, organized by the Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua (APEN, for its acronym in Spanish), approximately 250 companies and more than 70 international buyers are expected to attend. Participating sectors include textiles, apparel, handicrafts, manufacturing, agriculture, agroindustry and footwear, among others.

The conference will be held in collaboration with PRONicaragua, the official investment and export promotion agency, the Superior Council of the Private Enterprise (COSEP, for its acronym in Spanish), the Nicaraguan Foundation for Economic Development, the Chamber of Industries of Nicaragua, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Nicaragua (Amcham).

According to Enrique Zamora, President of APEN, Nicaraguan exports have experienced a sustained growth in the last 10 years. He also indicated that the conference resulted in US$27 million in sales last year, and is expected to result in US$30 million this year.

Azucena Castillo, General Manager of APEN, catalogued the conference as a vital tool for the promotion of Nicaragua’s export offer. “The EXPOAPEN conference is a registered trademark recognized worldwide which, year after year, has been increasing its impact on business”, commented Castillo.

José Adán Aguerri, President of COSEP, stated that the amount of participating companies will increase this year, which will lead to greater export opportunities. He also mentioned that “this has been one of the engines that has boosted economic growth in Nicaragua”.

The Nicaraguan Center for Export Procedures (CETREX, for its acronym in Spanish) estimates the country will export around US$2.7 billion in 2012 (excluding free zones exports) after registering US$1.645 billion in exports during the first semester. According to the Director of CETREX, Jorge Molina, if the calculation is correct, this would represent a 15 percent increase when compared to 2011.

Regarding volume, until July 31, Nicaragua had sent abroad 1.14 million tons, 240,000 tons more than 2011, representing a growth of 15.35 percent.

PRONicaragua