Business, Commerce, Economy : El Salvador

This pathfinder includes information about Salvadorian agriculture, banking, industry, energy industry, investment, trade, chambers of commerce, directories of companies, and economic statistics.  The most important source for bibliography of books and articles concerning El Salvador is the annual Handbook of Latin American Studies (http://lcweb2.loc.gov/hlas/) produced by over 140 contributing editors under the editorship of the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress. Additional coverage of journal articles can be found through a subscription to the Hispanic American Periodical Index (http://hapi.gseis.ucla.edu/).   Both the Handbook and HAPI are available in selected libraries in book form.   One of the major aggregators for links to a wide variety of subjects relating to regional resources for Latin America is the University of Texas' LANIC (http://www.lanic.utexas.edu/la/ca/salvador/). Another site one should especially note is the site prepared by the Law Library of the Library of Congress for international and multinational information on their Guide to Law Online (http://www.loc.gov/law/guide/elsalvador.html).

ASOCIACION NACIONAL DE LA EMPRESA PRIVADA  (http://www.anep.org.sv/)
Founded in September 1966, ANEP, a private entity that promotes the economic, social and cultural development of El Salvador by strengthening the private business sector and supporting a democratic state. In Spanish.

ASOCIACION SALVADORENA DE INDUSTRIALES  (http://www.asi.com.sv/)
A private association that aims to promote and protect the development and production capacity of the national industrial sector. Site contains specialized information for and about the industrial sector, including news and events, an online trade magazine, business seminars, web links to relevant government and private sites, and contact information for the association. In Spanish.

BANCO AGRICOLA  (http://www.bancoagricola.com/web%5Fsite/index.html)
Founded in 1955, the Banco Agrícola is ranked number one in El Salvador and Central America in profits and earnings. (All banking institutions in El Salvador were nationalized from 1980-89, subsequently a reprivatization process began.) Spanish-language site provides information on banking services, including private, corporate, and international banking, as well as special information (remittances, etc.) for Salvadoreños living abroad.

BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DE EL SALVADOR  (http://www.bcr.gob.sv/)
The Central Reserve Bank has responsibility for public finance, the promotion and maintenance of monetary stability, and the development of an efficient financial system. Charged with structuring and placement of the country's debt in international markets. Site offers a wealth of financial information, including annual economic indicators from 1995-2002; statistics on trade balances, international reserves, external debt and remittances; as well as a monthly publications. In English and Spanish.

BANCO CUSCATLAN   (http://www.bancocuscatlan.com/index.html)
With offices in El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, and Costa Rica, Banco Cuscatlán is ranked number two among banks in the region. In addition to general information about the bank's services, the site offers netbanking. In Spanish.

BOLSA DE VALORES DE EL SALVADOR   (http://200.13.190.37/index.php)
Provides general information on the stock exchange, links to stock brokerage houses, text of laws regulating the exchange, etc. Allows real time viewing of investment transactions. In Spanish.

CORPORACION DE EXPORTADORES DE EL SALVADOR  (http://www.coexport.com/index%5Fhighres.htm)
A private, nonprofit institution that aims to "create more and better work opportunities for Salvadorians by promoting, establishing, and expanding the export industry." In Spanish.

EL SALVADOR, CENTRAL AMERICA: TRADE & INVESTMENT   (http://www.elsalvadortrade.com.sv/index.html)
Commercial site sponsored by the Banco Central de Reservas designed for those interested in import/export and investment opportunities in El Salvador. Provides general information about the country (geography, climate, etc.) as well as more specific information, such as exporter and importer directories, full text of treaties and trade agreements, descriptions of incentive programs for investors, and a listing of support services. Database of foreign trade statistics by year/country/product from 1997-2002 and by month/country/product for current year. In English and Spanish.

FUNDACION SALVADORENA PARA EL DESARROLLO ECONOMICO Y SOCIAL  (http://www.fusades.com.sv/index.html)
"A private, apolitical, non-profit organization, created in 1983 ... to be a think tank and research center with high credibility, that promotes economic and social progress of all Salvadorians, through sustainable development, in a system of democracy and individual liberties." Site is divided into three main areas: Center for Economic Research, Center for Economic Development, Center for Social Development. In Spanish.

MINISTERIO DE ECONOMIA, GOBIERNO DE EL SALVADOR   (http://www.minec.gob.sv/default.asp)
Site for the Ministry of Economics charged with "promoting economic and social development through the growth of production, productivity, and the rational use of resources." In Spanish.

SUPERINTENDENCIA DE VALORES DE EL SALVADOR, CENTROAMERICA  (http://www.superval.gob.sv/)
Established by the Salvadorian Congress in 1996 as an autonomous institution responsible for regulating, promoting, and setting policy for the securities market. Site offers information on the regulatory framework of the securities market, investor assistance, a public registry of securities, publications, and a calendar of events. In English and Spanish.

SUPERINTENDENCIA DEL SISTEMA FINANCIERO: EL SALVADOR  (http://www.ssf.gob.sv/)
Government entity responsible for regulating monetary, credit, investment, and exchange activities in El Salvador. Oversees compliance with banking laws and regulates the Central Reserve Bank, as well as other public and private banking and financial institutions in the country. In Spanish.