In the concession model proposed by the government, one operator can be the virtual operator of a logical channel, management-multiplex concessionaire and / or network administrator at the same time.
The Vice Ministry of Telecommunications has presented its proposal for a reference model for the transition to digital television, in which it details the concession model and partnership opportunities between concessionaires, details of the use of the radio spectrum, aspects related to digital solidarity, deployment of DTT and the expected results of this technological change under the ISDB-Tb standard.
A government resolution states that if the state wants to defer payments to the contractor for the project, it may do so 60 days before the 90 days of presentation of the debt recovery.
From the order given by the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Panama, published in La Gaceta:
resolves:
"... FIRST: For the processing of the debt recovery, with respect to contracts under the turnkey format, either full or partial, and similar, executed by contracting entities through contractors using their own funds or by partial or total financing through the sale of loans to the transferee, with advanced notice given to the contractingentity the following must be complied with, as applicable:
FAQs on the projected construction of a container transshipment port in the area of Corozal West of the Panama Canal.
Information taken from the Panama Canal Administration:
1. What benefits will come from the construction of a new port in Corozal West?
There are several benefits:
- The port will leverage the advantages of the Canal expansion bringing in more commercial activity.
A bill is being prepared which would allow the granting of new concessions to domestic private companies for the provision of public transport in the districts of Panama and San Miguelito.
The initiative to amend Law 14 of 1993 on public transport presented in the Assembly states that only firms which are 100% Panamanian may apply for the concession. The main objective of the project is for the business applying to be 100% Panamanian and it is anticipated that the main results of this will be to prevent monopolistic practices in sensitive sectors such as urban transport.
The adoption of the amendments to the hydrocarbon law provides for the participation of the state run company Petronic in exploration activities and the ability to partner with other companies engaged in the activity.
The amended law authorizes Empresa Nicaragüense de Petróleo (Petronic) to represent the State in the exploration and exploitation of oil and "... make 'associations and partnerships with companies who come to explore and exploit hydrocarbons.'"
A bill presented in Panama would allow the construction of marinas and docks and the granting of concessions to develop tourism activities in historic areas in the City of Colon.
The initiative presented in the National Assembly on August 4, aims to increase the influx of tourists to the historic areas of Portobelo and San Lorenzo, declared patrimony of humanity 34 years ago.
The failure in this country of a model which is successful in others, can be reversed with more efficiency in tender processes and improving the promotion of the projects.
The inability to properly promote and explain the format explains in part its failure in country.
While in other countries these kinds of concessions have proven to be one of the best formats for the development of public works, the mere mention of the word generates negative reactions in Costa Rica from a major part of the population.
The company granted the concession will be to invest $30 million over ten years instead of the five previously considered.
The Congress of El Salvador has passed a series of adjustments to the award of the container terminal of the Port of La Union, regulated by Decree 834 of September 2011. Among other changes, it provides that the State will have to ensure the operating conditions of the access channel, the place of shipment and assist in navigation.
Just like in a never ending story, there are now plans in El Salvador to modify the legal framework regulating the conditions of the tender process, which is already underway.
The aim is to avoid future conflicts which could lead to subsequent international arbitration. For this reason the Salvadoran Congress and Executive Port Commission (CEPA) is starting a process to discuss the law next week.
In the event that he wins the next presidential election, Juan Carlos Varela will have prepared for the audit of all the concessions granted during the Martinelli administration.
Editorial
The announcement of the main opposition candidate in the presidential elections in Panama in May 2014, the former Vice President Juan Carlos Varela, from the Partido Panameñista party, one of the most likely candidates to be elected, could mean a serious blow to the international perception of the country in terms of receiver of investment, putting a question mark on the legal certainty of the contracts signed by the state.
Panama's government has backed down and decided that the airports in Rio Hato, David and Colon, will be administered by Tocumen SA.
Rafael Barcenas, director of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said that they found a way for three new airports, which will not be profitable in the short term, not to become an administrative burden that hinders securing the funds they need to build the South Terminal at Tocumen airport, which will have an investment of $679.4 million.
Concessions are still -if properly implemented- the ideal method for the implementation of large public works projects.
From a press release issued by the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Enterprises (UCCAEP):
The Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Enterprises (UCCAEP) indicates that the system of granting concessions is a valid and suitable model for the state to finance the public works and services necessary to enable us to improve the competitiveness needed by the country.
The Spanish consultancy company ALG is advising the Government of Honduras on the economic model and the contest rules for awarding Palmerola to a private operator.
Laprensa.hn reports that failure to reach an agreement with InterAirports has meant the resumption of the process "to define the economic model, how the bidding will be conducted and the nature of the contract between the state and the company that will finally take over the project. "
The Autonomous Executive Port Commission of El Salvador put to tender the administration of the port of La Union in mid-2013.
An article in Laprensagrafica.com quotes the chairman of the Autonomous Executive Port Commission of El Salvador (CEPA), Alberto Arene, who says that "The goal of CEPA is to grant concession the port of La Union, within a year, that is to say, in September 2013 ".
Ten international companies have shown interest in operating the Salvadoran port and investing $30 million in renovating its infrastructure.
More than 10 international companies from Europe, Asia, America and Latin America have submitted bids for the administration of Puerto La Union, although the tender process will be carried out during the rest of the year, said Alberto Arene, president of the Executive Committee of Autonomous Ports (CEPA in Spanish).