The bill put forward by the Varela administration proposes regulating the operation of crowdfunding platforms, and creates the concept of Family Offices of Patrimonial Administration.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance:
The Cabinet Council approved on Tuesday the Bill for the Modernization of the International Financial System of Panama, which seeks to introduce new solutions and services to strengthen supply and increase the competitiveness of Panama as a financial services platform.
With a loan from the World Bank, outstanding construction works will be completed in several road sections in Granada and Rivas.
This financing for roads is part of a total of $145 million approved by the World Bank for various works in the country, including improvements in the health care system in rural areas.A statement issued by the entity states that "... $60 million will be allocated to the expansion of the Community and Family Health Model nationwide...".
A loan from the World Bank is to be used to finance improvements to the infrastructure and the quality of services in health, education, and water and sanitation in the country's 12 indigenous territories.
From a statement issued by the World Bank:
Washington, March 15, 2018—The World Bank Board of Directors approved a US$80 million project today to improve the infrastructure and quality of health, education, water and sanitation services in 12 Indigenous territories of Panama. The innovative project is based on the priorities established by the Indigenous communities and their traditional leaders.
The union of builders is proposing creating an insured mortgage fund, to provide financing for those who can not meet the requirements demanded by banks.
The Chamber of Developers of Nicaragua (Cadur) announced that the fund could start with an initial seed capital of $5 million.The objective of the fund is to finance the purchase of new homes, and to facilitate access to financing for workers in the informal sector or clients that receive remittances from abroad.
The Salvadoran government has announced that CABEI has approved an $80 million loan to finance the coffee plantation renewal plan.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture:
The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Orestes Ortez, reported that the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) approved an $80 million loanrequested by the Salvadoran government, aimed at renovating the country 's coffee plantations and strengthening this productive sector.
With a loan from the BCIE, the improvement and renovation of 195 kilometers of roads in different areas of the country will be financed.
The project involves the paving of 194.39 kilometers, divided into six road sections with different asphalt pavement structures, hydraulic concrete and concrete paving slabs.
With a loan from the Andean Development Corporation, part of the master plan for agriculture in the Western region will be financed, which consists of the improvement of productive infrastructure, acquisition of equipment and supplies and management of water resources.
The program comprises seven components in its first stage: research, extension and technical assistance; associativity and entrepreneurship; agricultural health and food safety; metrology and laboratories; water management and water harvesting; productive infrastructure, equipment and supplies; institutional development for the execution of PMARO.
The Agricultural Development Bank has $14 million to use for financing the purchase of livestock and bulls created through artificial insemination, with an interest rate of 2%, a term of 15 years and with collateral.
The Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) reported that the goal of this financing is to repopulate male and female livestocks, and also seeks "...
The BCIE will be financing restoration works on the National Theater, which include renovating the electricity system and modernizing the facilities in general.
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) announced that "... financing will allow the development of a program consisting of investments for an active and passive fire protection system, renovation of the electricity system for greater security and modernization of the stage enclosure, mechanization of the stage, sound aspects, lighting aspects and installation of an acoustic shell, in addition to giving independence to the administrative offices and warehouses, excluding them from the main building of the Theater."
Lack of irrigation on most of the country's arable land is preventing farmers from accessing bank financing to increase the productivity of their crops.
Regarding the financing that is currently granted, Luis Rivas Anduray, CEO and director of Banpro Grupo Promerica, explained to Elnuevodiario.com.ni that "...Banks finance only 10% of the country's arable areas. This 10% are the products that generate the most foreign currency for Nicaragua, such as coffee, sugarcane, etc., but there is another 90% of the area that can be financed, in which banks do not get involved, due to the credit risk that this constitutes. Therefore, when you have irrigation, the risk is substantially reduced."
The Ministry of Agriculture foresees having the resources available in April, once the Legislature approves the disbursement by the BCIE.
A new government attempt to renovate coffee plantations gained momentum in December last year, after the Legislative Assembly approved areform to the Law to Create the Coffee Production Support Trust, to facilitate access to financing for coffee growers.
After having invested $15 million in the construction of the main conduit, the agricultural irrigation project that was supposed to bring water to farms in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, has not been completed due to lack of funds.
In July 2017 the agricultural irrigation project called "second stage of the southern channel" was inaugurated, which consisted in the construction of a main water pipeline measuring 32 kilometers in length.The works that are located in the province of Guanacaste, required an investment of $15 million which was financed with a loan from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE).
With a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank, a process to optimize the production and distribution system of drinking water in Panama will be implemented.
The program includes improving the management of the Institute of Aqueducts and Sewerage Systems (IDAAN) and the optimization of the system to produce and distribute potable water.The Government of Panama will contribute an additional US $5.5 million to the program, for a total value of US $255.5 million.
With IDB financing, renovation works will be carried out on the National Theater, a museum, fortifications in Portobelo and San Lorenzo and in national parks.
From a statement issued by the National Economic Council (CENA):
The CENA has issued a favorable opinion on two projects for loan contracts for the sum of 107 million dollars so that the IDB can partially finance execution of the program called "Support for the Conservation and Management of Cultural and Natural Heritage".
The Honduran government will offer companies in the tourism sector loans with annual rates of 10% and terms of up to 20 years for the construction of hotels.
Authorities in the Hernandez administration announced that among the financial products that are already available in the Honduran Bank for Production and Housing (Banhprovi), are loans for small and medium-sized tourism companies for a maximum amount of $34 thousand, with a 10% annual rate, with terms of up to seven years for fixed assets, three years for working capital and a two-year grace period for fixed assets.