Thread by @ACLatAm

Central America economic reactivation: Opportunities amid COVID-19 w/ @Laura_Ch & @aherscowitz pscp.tv/w/ckHVQDFZTEVK…

"Our intention [with this new report] is to provide some ideas on how to sustain reactivation of Central America in a #COVID19 world," said Former Costa Rican President and @ACLatAm advisory council member @Laura_Ch. #ACCentralAmerica

Economic slowdown, informality, low coverage/quality of education, high poverty, high levels of violence, migration flows, dysfunctional states and disenchantment with democracy have created a "volatile combination of challenges." -Fmr Costa Rican Pres @Laura_Ch #ACCentralAmerica

"In this paper, we identify three key areas of opportunity: global value chains and nearshoring, a new push for regional collaboration, and a demographic bonus of young workers," said Former Costa Rican President @Laura_Ch. #ACCentralAmerica

"Historically, Central America has shown a greater openness to trade than the rest of Latin America," said Former Costa Rican President @Laura_Ch. "This is good news." #ACCentralAmerica

"We need to take immediate action with the future in mind prioritizing the education of the region's youth, helping them to participate in the formal economy. We have a relatively narrow window to achieve that," said Former Costa Rican President @Laura_Ch. #ACCentralAmerica

"This time of crisis could be an opportunity to honor the dreams of generations of Central Americans," said Former Costa Rican President and @ACLatAm advisory council member @Laura_Ch. #ACCentralAmerica

"The predictability of Mexico's business environment due to #USMCA will make it a top destination for investment in Latin America," said Maria Eugenia Brizuela de Avila. "That's how I know Central America has the same opportunity." #ACCentralAmerica

"The fastest way to recover really is getting capital into the economy," said @DFCgov Chief Development Officer @aherscowitz. "The region is resilient. The faster we can get money into the hands of people, the more quickly the countries can recover." #ACCentralAmerica

"All the resources we need are located in the Western Hemisphere... One of the greatest indicators of how developed a country's economy is the degree of regional integration," achieving economies of scale together. -@DFCgov Chief Development Officer @aherscowitz #ACCentralAmerica

"While the economies of Central America don't make a dent in the global economy, together, they amount to an economy of scale." -@ACLatAm Associate Director @MariaBozmoski #ACCentralAmerica

"We need to agree on concrete deliverables and hold ourselves accountable on regional integration," said report author @salva_paiz of @FunSEPA @Fundesa "We need to leverage the private sector and civil society and raise the volume on international support." #ACCentralAmerica

"The demographic opportunity is also a challenge," said Enrique Bolaños @INCAE. "We need to provide conditions for youth to fully develop their potential. If they don't have basic rights and opportunities, they will seek those rights and opportunities abroad." #ACCentralAmerica

"We're launching a development strategy for Central America focused on food security and agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, information and technology, energy, water and sanitation, and inclusive financing." -@DFCgov Chief Development Officer @aherscowitz #ACCentralAmerica

"We see a lot of innovation in the region, especially in fintech, and young people are driving that innovation," said @DFCgov Chief Development Officer @aherscowitz. #ACCentralAmerica

"The peak year for the demographic bonus is the year 2033. We have an opportunity to increase productivity, and it is vital that we make the right investments, or that potential will evaporate amid #COVID19 and other challenges." -Maria Eugenia Brizuela de Avila #ACCentralAmerica

"53% of the population in El Salvador is female. Consolidating remote work and introducing flexibility in the workforce will help integrate women in the economy and promote the inclusion of women and other marginalized groups." -Maria Eugenia Brizuela de Avila #ACCentralAmerica

"We need to first address the key problem in Nicaragua, which is political problem. The international community can play a role in recovering institutions and supporting free and fair elections," said report author Enrique Bolaños @INCAE. #ACCentralAmerica