In order to streamline the processes of import and export of agricultural, livestock and hydrobiological inputs and products, the virtual platform VISAR online was enabled in Guatemala.
This tool is aimed at the productive sectors, importers of products of animal and vegetable origin, agricultural inputs and exporters of agricultural, livestock and hydrobiological products, which will now reduce time in their efforts with the use of cutting-edge technology, typical of the digital era, informed the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA).
In Guatemala were published in the Diario de Centroamerica the sanctions of the laws for the Simplification of Administrative Requirements and Procedures and Free Zones, regulatory frameworks that aim to encourage investments and job creation.
In the June 1, 2021 edition of the Diario de Centroamerica, the texts of Decree 5-2021, which corresponds to the Law for the Simplification of Administrative Requirements and Procedures, and Decree 6-2021, which refers to the Free Trade Zones Law, were included. See complete publication.
After Guatemala approved the Law for the Simplification of Procedures and the creation of the Interinstitutional Commission to Contribute to the Economic Reactivation of the Construction Sector, the business sector believes that this news is encouraging.
At the beginning of May, Guatemalan authorities approved the Law for the Simplification of Administrative Requirements and Procedures. This regulatory framework aims to promote the digitalization of administrative procedures, allowing people to use the technology available to them to carry out procedures and interact with the government.
In Guatemala, the Ministry of Economy temporarily created the Interinstitutional Commission to Contribute to the Economic Reactivation of the Construction Sector, which will be integrated by representatives of nine entities.
The purpose of the Commission is to promote coordination actions among the Ministries and Institutions related to the construction sector, in order to streamline the administrative management of each one of them.
Since December 2020, exporters and importers of plant products will be able to process certifications digitally with the Costa Rican authorities.
The digitalization process modernizes the way of trade, makes it faster and more reliable and eliminates the use of paper, simplifying procedures, reducing time and costs, explains a statement from the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE).
Local authorities informed that as of November 11, exporters interested in carrying out their procedures electronically will be able to receive training on the use of the Certification of Origin in the online platform of the Customs Management System.
Exporting companies will be able to register by phone or by sending an e-mail to the Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE), announced the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI).
In Guatemala, the Superintendence of Tax Administration completed the computer development phase of the platform, which will manage the new Electronic Regime for the Return of Tax Credit.
This computer development includes the registration for exporters who wish to adhere to this new Regime, as well as the implementation of the Electronic Form for Request for Return of Tax Credit Electronic Special Regime (SAT-2251), informed Agexport.
Local authorities plan to implement at the end of 2019 the service of Advance Declaration, which will serve for the generation of a Virtual Customs platform for exports, which would be operational in the first half of 2020.
Gustavo Villatoro, director of Customs, told Elmundo.sv that "... The advance declaration itself will be used by the exporter to generate the required customs documents.
Since November 4, 2019, the SAT Form 0471 entered into force in Guatemala to register in the new Electronic Regime for the Return of Tax Credit.
To apply to this mechanism, one of the requirements is to be incorporated into the Online Electronic Invoice Regime. According to Agexport, exporters of both goods and services are also eligible.
Since October 1st, the payment of the Real Estate Transfer Tax Declaration can be made through a digital platform.
Elmundo.sv reviews that "... Alejandro Zelaya, Vice Minister of Revenue, reported that not only will there be a reduction in time, but also these 'procedural aspects' will reduce the economic cost of users, such as the elimination of payment to messengers who make the different processes for tax declaration.
From September 9, the registration and presentation of individual work contracts in Guatemala will be done electronically, which is expected to reduce the time it takes to complete management to three days.
The new procedure, which today involves a personal procedure and whose resolution required between 15 and 30 days, is simplified to three days, between its submission, resolution and registration, which means the streamlining of procedures for employers, workers and the creation of an electronic registry that will allow the ministry better controls, informed the Ministry of Labor.
Authorities in Panama presented the initiative of a new digital platform, in which it will be possible to carry out procedures and processes related to the Registry of National Industry and Industrial Development Certificates.
Directors of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) presented the initiatives to develop a web platform with block chain technology and a web page with information, procedures and processes, to carry out formalities in the departments of industrial inspection and evaluation, such as the RIN and the CFI.
The Alvarado administration announced a new platform that will serve to digitalize the process of procedures under form D2, which are used to manage studies of low environmental impact.
The platform will initially simplify the registration and tracking of D2 forms, which represents 54% of all cases. The remaining 46% of cases, of medium and high impact, will also be reviewed more thoroughly thanks to a reform of the General Regulations on Environmental Impact Assessment Procedures, explains the official statement.
In Panama, the Colon Free Zone established requirements for the issuance of special permits for the marketing of cigarettes, tobacco products and pharmaceuticals.
By means of Resolution No.008-2019, published in La Gaceta Oficial on April 25, 2019, it was informed that companies will have a maximum term of 120 calendar days to comply with the requirements of special permits for import, transfer, marketing, export and re-export of cigarettes and tobacco products.
From April, exporters and companies established in Panama's free trade zones will be able to carry out online procedures such as Declaration of Commercial Movement, Certification of Origin and Determination of Origin.
The companies in free trade zones that will be able to perform the three new online procedures will be those governed by Law 32, explained the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) in a statement.