The Caribbean, a market with a lot of potential for Nicaraguan products

By Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados

The Caribbean, a market with a lot of potential for Nicaraguan products
Five Caribbean countries (Barbados, Granada, Guyana, the Netherlands Antilles and Suriname) were on the list of the 15 new destinations for Nicaraguan exports in 2018. Although the volumes exported to those countries are not yet sufficiently impressive, the Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua (APEN) thinks all of them should be given "special attention" because of they potential for products based on coffee, chocolate and peanuts, among others.

"There is a series of Caribbean countries where tourism is key for their economy and therefore they demand a lot of products for their tourists which they can not produce. And the prices they pay are usually very good”, said Guillermo Jacoby, President of APEN, to El Nuevo Diario

Due to their small size and transportation difficulties, Barbados, Granada, Guyana, the Netherlands Antilles and Surinam have historically not been taken into account by Central American countries as possible exports destinations. Matters such as the development of port and shipping infrastructures are now being analyzed by Nicaraguan exporters to increase their product commercialization with those markets, which generated a total of USD 842 million in 2018. “It clearly seems they are not a bad market at all”, added Jacoby.

In 2018, Nicaragua's exports generated USD 2,616 million, 1.1% less than in 2017. The main destination was the United States with a value of around USD 1,041 million. 
Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados

GUY JOSE BENDAÑA GUERRERO & ASOCIADOS has a long and prosperous tradition in the field of intellectual property (IP) in Nicaragua, with roots that go back to more than 100 years, resulting on long-term relationships with renowned clients and attorneys worldwide.

The firm has its origins in the law firm Henry Caldera & Henry Caldera-Pallais, founded in 1907 by Mr. Henry Caldera. That same year of 1907, through the efforts of Mr. Caldera, Nicaragua had its first Trademark Law. In the late 1930’s, Mr. Caldera’s oldest son, Dr. Henry Caldera-Pallais, after studying law in Nicaragua, attended the University of Michigan, where he graduated as a Registered U.S. Patent Attorney. Dr. Caldera-Pallais in 1964 was a founding member of the Interamerican Association of Intellectual Property (ASIPI), the first regional intellectual property organization in the Americas. The firm continued to grow during the administration of Dr. Franklin Caldera, son of Dr. Caldera-Pallais, who obtained his doctoral degree in law from the Universidad Centroamericana in 1973.

Since 1985 the current partners, Dr. Guy José Bendaña Guerrero and Mrs. Blanca Aragón de Bendaña, took over the management of the firm. Dr. Bendaña Guerrero, Director of the firm, has distinguished himself as one of the most respected authorities in Central America in the field of intellectual property and law in general, being the author of several books such as “Course of Industrial Property Law”, “Study of the new Laws of Industrial Property” and “New Study of Contracts “, among others. Mrs. Aragón de Bendaña has served as the firm’s general manager and, thanks to her excellent management, the firm has been in constant growth, with a highly qualified staff committed to excellence. Since 1996, partner Julián José Bendaña Aragón joined the firm, and has been standing out as one of the most recognized attorneys in the field of intellectual property.

We have adapted to the constant change of the business world, supporting our clients in finding the most appropriate legal solutions for each moment. The firm distinguishes itself by understanding the needs of its clients, offering personalized service and adding value to its activities.

Nowadays we continue to be the leading firm in Nicaragua in the area of intellectual property, and at the same time, we have been consolidating other areas of service within the civil, commercial and labor fields, as well as litigation and consulting in general. The firm is well positioned to guarantee a pragmatic service that meets the requirements of the most demanding clients.

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