In the Honduran Congress there is a bill that seeks to prohibit banks and finance companies from capitalizing interest on payments not made from March 2020 to December 2021, a measure that worries the sector.
The initiative was sent by the Executive to the National Congress months ago. The purpose of the bill, which is called "Financial Plan of Solidarity Rescue", is to benefit people and companies that were affected by the spread of covid-19, with the payment of their debts.
The Legislative Assembly approved in second debate a bill that aims to tax in the country the sale and self-consumption of imported or locally produced cement.
The initiative, which was approved in the first debate in the Assembly in mid-February and is still pending approval by the Executive Branch, establishes that the tax will be on imported cement produced nationally, in bags or in bulk, for sale or self-consumption, of any kind, whose destination is the consumption and marketing of the product nationally.
With the reform proposal to the Law of Free Zones presented to Congress, it is intended to reduce from 20 to 10 the requirements that must be met to approve a new free zone.
After several months of working on the proposal to make changes to the law, the file was submitted to the legislative chamber and prepared by the Honduran Maquiladora Association (AHM), the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Honduras and the Ministry of Economic Development (SDE).
In Honduras, Congress extended for two more years the validity of the Law to Support Micro and Small Enterprises, which grants benefits such as exemption from payment of income tax and other taxes.
To opt for the benefits granted by the law, interested parties must process their permits, national and municipal licenses for its operation, reports a statement issued by Congress.
The amendments to the law stipulate that prior to the request for exploitation, the mining authority shall require the municipal corporation to conduct a citizen consultation within a period not exceeding 90 days, and the decision adopted shall be binding for the granting of the concession.
If the result of the citizens' consultation is to oppose the exploitation, it cannot be carried out again after one year, prior to the installation of a social development table, the approved text specifies.
A bill is being discussed in Congress to facilitate financing for producers and to support them in certifying the quality of their plantations.
Because of the complex scenario faced by African palm producers because of low international prices, the Hernandez administration presented to Congress the bill "Law for the Strengthening of the Productive Sector of Oil Palm."
The lack of a competition law in Guatemala could expose the country to sanctions from the European authorities, since it is a requirement demanded in the regulations of the Association Agreement with the European Union.
Since the end of 2016, the Association Agreement (AdA) required Guatemala to have a law on the matter, since in 2019 a Central American competition authority would have to be created.
Changes in legislation restricting the use of disposable plastic containers and packaging force companies to look for other options, some of which could be up to five times more expensive.
In Costa Rica, the Legislative Assembly ratified the ban on the import, marketing and distribution of expanded polystyrene containers, better known as styrofoam.
With the approval in Second Debate of file 19.833 "Addition of an article 42 bis, a paragraph d) to article 50 and the transitory XIII, XIV and XV to the Law for the Integral Management of Waste, No.
The bill being discussed in Costa Rica basically seeks to extinguish the assets of organized crime, but there are those who claim that as proposed, it puts at risk the presumption of innocence of individuals.
The extinction of domain is a concept that in practice refers to seizing or confiscating assets linked to criminal activities, and then transferring them in favor of the State.
In the Central American region, the average unemployment rate for those aged between 15 and 24 is estimated to be around 11%, with lack of work experience being the main barrier to accessing the first job.
According to figures from the Central American Observatory of Social Development, Costa Rica and Panama are the countries in the region with the highest rates of youth unemployment, with 27% and 15%, respectively.
The bill being discussed in Congress aims to regulate fuel quality and encourage a drop in the prices of petroleum products.
The Hydrocarbons Law that is being discussed in the National Congress will define, among other aspects, the marketing chain, wholesale importers, distribution and transportation.
In relation to the current status of the bill, the secretary of the Mining and Hydrocarbons Commission in the National Congress, Juan Carlos Elvir, explained to Latribuna.hn that "... they now know the ruling on the Hydrocarbons Law, which very soon will continue being discussed in the House."
The new law approved by Congress states that the interest rate in national currency can not exceed 54%, and in dollars the maximum limit will be 30%.
After several months of debate, the National Congress has finally approved an amendment to the law proposed by the Executive Branch, which aims to limit the interest charges made by banks and financiers on debt incurred using credit cards.
The Congress of Costa Rica has been inspired by the famous tango Cambalache and now those who "work day and night like an ox are the same as those who live off other people, those who kill are the same as those who cure, or those who live outside the law..."
EDITORIAL
The Costa Rican Legislative Assembly has given final approval to a bill that clears the records of crimes committed by people after they have served their sentences. Until now, criminal records have only been "cleaned" after 10 years have passed since the sentence was carried out.
From December 2016 the Asian country will prevent the entry of agricultural products containing any residues of agrochemicals.
From a statement issued by the State Phytosanitary Service in Costa Rica:
SFE authorities have communicated to exporters of unprocessed plant products destined for Korea, that this nation has established a new legislation on Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of pesticides.