Entrepreneurs are ambassadors of China in isthmus

With the exception of Costa Rica, Central America does not have diplomatic relations with China, but business executives are taking the place of ambassadors and promoting closer ties with the Asian giant.

Despite the lack of diplomatic ties or agreements that provide preferential tariffs, Guatemala increased its exports to China from $3 million in 2000 to $30 million in 2009.

Together, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua went from $35 million exports to China in 2002 to $848.3 million in 2009.

Original source: Inter-Press Service