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Nicaragua: capturing foreign aid

Monday, April 25, 2016


Economic analysts and investment advisors can do well in Nicaragua, by helping local operations gain access to foreign cooperation, which last year passed $1 billion – close to 9% of the value of national production.

Half of the funds went to state institutions, while the other half went to initiatives proposed by the private sector.

Foreign cooperation in 2015 represented the third largest source of external contribution to the economy, after exports of goods and services and family remittances, according to the Central Bank.

Leading sources of finance included Venezuela at $310 million, the Inter-American Development Bank at $208 million, and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration at $200 million, followed by the World Bank, the Netherlands, the European Union and Germany.

Nicaragua’s economy is projected to grow by 4.5% and 4.3% respectively this year and in 2017, the second fastest rate in Central America, behind only Panama.

Insofar as politics are concerned, the current administration is likely to stay in office for another four years, as President Daniel Ortega is expected to win a third consecutive term in November, according to a poll published on last week.

Ortega's Sandinista Party has the support of close to 80% of decided voters, according to M&R Consultores.