Nicaragua generates 147,000 new jobs in 2010

Jan. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- Nicaragua generated 147,000 new jobs in 2010 in the textile and manufacturing sectors recovering the jobs that were lost in 2009 due to the economic crisis.

According to the Nicaraguan Minister of Labor, Jeanette Chavez "the most important sectors in generating employment were construction, manufacturing, energy and tourism."

In the rural sector, jobs were created through two social programs promoted by the Government, Zero Usury and Zero Hunger.

The Zero Usury program provides small loans to women with concessional interest rates in order to create their own businesses.

Zero Hunger includes the delivery to each household of a cow and a pregnant pig, six poultry (five hens and a rooster), seeds, fruit and forest plants, revolving credit, a digester, and other products.

The Minister highlighted that until October 2010, 82,000 workers were registered under the Free Zones Regime, 20,000 more than those registered in December 2009.

“This year will be better than 2010 when it comes to job generation, because exports will continue to grow and so will the economy” expressed the Minister.

Economic sectors that are expected to show dynamic results in 2011 include livestock, sugar, coffee, gold, aquaculture, and manufactured products. Additionally, there are expectations that the international prices for several commodities, like gold and food, will remain high during 2011.

The Government of Nicaragua plans to close 2010 with a growth rate between four and 4.5 percent and an annual inflation rate of 10 percent.