Weekly Update - August 1st

The ongoing process of obtaining the Authorization to Sell from the Ministry of Labour appears to be finally reaching a conclusion. This past Tuesday I actually held the relevant document in my hand (!) before realizing that the beaurocrats had managed to make two important errors in the one-page document. Unfortunately, though not surprisingly, it was not possible to make the necessary corrections immediately and I am now due back at the Ministry at 8am on Thursday in an attempt to finally resolve this issue. Why not today you ask? Well, today just happens to be the day of Managua's Patron Saint Santo Domingo and so all business's in the capital are closed.

Taking advantage of this time in the capital we have made important contacts at the Dutch Embassy. It is clear that there is still a very limited presence of Dutch businesses in Nicaragua but the embassy appears to have quite an extensive organisation. Much of their work revolves around promoting development and environmental projects while there is also a program in-place promoting joint ventures between Nicaraguan and Dutch companies. There is clear scope for future cooperation and the meetings were very encouraging.

Back on the property work is focussing on the planting of all the saplings from the nursery. It is essential to have most trees and plants in the ground before September in order to allow ample time for the roots to take hold before the summer dry-season.