A recent study by KPMG reveals that companies in Central America and the Dominican Republic maintain an optimistic outlook focused on innovation. According to the 'Regional and Business Prospects 2026' report, 73% of organizations plan to develop new products to meet market demands, while 89% of senior management project an increase in sales this year. The main driver for this growth is the opening of new markets (65%) and the establishment of strategic alliances to capitalize on trends like nearshoring. Technology is positioned as a fundamental pillar: 62% of companies will invest significantly in data analytics, 56% in cloud solutions, and 54% in applications. Furthermore, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) will focus mainly on improving the customer experience (62%) and increasing operational efficiency (50%). However, cybersecurity emerges as the most critical short-term concern for 61% of leaders surveyed by KPMG. In the fiscal realm, 57% of companies point to administrative complexity as the main obstacle to compliance. On the social front, 62% prioritize talent retention as a key risk, while in the environmental sphere, extreme weather events and energy security (33%) are the biggest concerns for the region. To mitigate difficulties in attracting and retaining talent, organizations are betting on attractive compensation schemes, flexible work models, and constant training programs. In the area of human capital management, it is a priority for 45% of companies. Additionally, 39% of companies plan to expand their presence nationally, and 24% are seeking internationalization. Luis Laguerre, Managing Partner of the firm in Panama, stated that these projections confirm the region's capacity to adapt and thrive even in challenging environments. Mynor Pacheco, Managing Partner of the firm in Costa Rica, concluded that developing capabilities that drive resilience will be decisive to strengthen regional competitiveness in 2026. Mario Torres, Managing Partner of the firm in the Dominican Republic, emphasized that technological protection is essential to guarantee operational continuity and trust in the current market. Regarding sustainability and corporate governance (ESG), 65% of organizations underline the importance of complying with new regulatory provisions and ensuring ethical transparency. Likewise, 43% of respondents identify regulatory changes, both local and global, as the greatest fiscal risk for their operations. To enhance competitiveness and growth, the most relevant challenges are attracting national and foreign investment (60%), implementing public policies that promote private investment (44%), and the sustainability of public finances (42%).
