A resolution of the Maritime Authority of Panama forces maritime concessionaires to devote to social projects a percentage of the investment amount stated in the contract.
The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) has adopted a resolution whereby companies who sign contracts for maritime concessions are obliged to pay a "... fee which the concessionaire must provide by way of supporting social projects of the AMP in the concession contracts .... "
The increase of more than 5% in the cost of construction and the revaluation of land in the capital, has made the social housing segment unprofitable for builders.
"In its projections for 2013, the National Housing Council (Convivienda) a guild that brings together the leading companies involved in the construction of family units will build 8,206 dwellings (houses and apartments) with a total investment of approximately $800 million.
The Chamber of Construction Companies in Nicaragua has requested an adjustment to the maximum setting to qualify for benefits for social housing, in relation to the current costs of construction.
Laprensa.com.ni reports that "Law 677, or the Special Law for the Promotion of Construction of Access Housing or Affordable Housing, is almost obsolete. In practice the rationale for such legislation, passed in 2009, no longer has a strong impact on the mortgage market in Nicaragua because its content is not adjusted to the reality of this sector. "
The Fourth State of the Region Report examines the society, demography, economy, environment, and political integration of the seven Central American countries.
The Fourth State of the Region report is divided into four sections and ten chapters.
The first section is entitled "Regional Overview", and its main purpose is to track recent developments in Central America based on a platform of comprehensive and current indicators.
The Social Housing Fund of El Salvador has raised the maximum amount for loans to $ 125,000, following a request of the Salvadoran Chamber of Construction.
It has also announced the unification of the rates for loans for the purchase of affordable housing which will remain at 6%.
The measure had been formally requested of the Social
Housing Fund (FSV in Spanish) by the Salvadoran Chamber of Construction (CASALCO), as well as expanding the scope of social action in terms of housing provision, serving to stimulate demand in the construction sector.
The COSEP of Nicaragua and the government are reviewing issues such as future tax reforms and social security, the new agreement with the IMF and the adjustments to the electricity tariff.
The Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) recently met with the counselor for Economic Affairs of the Presidency, Bayardo Arce Castaño.
"The second half of this year will be marked by fiscal and social security reforms, reviews of the electricity tariff, and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over a new economic and financial program. At least that's what was set out during a meeting held by the Monitoring Committee composed of the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) and the Government, represented by the Economic Advisor of the Presidency, Bayardo Arce Castano," reported said LaPrensa.com.ni.
The resources will be allocated to transport, energy and climate change, agricultural productivity, health and social protection.
The announcement was made by the representative of the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) in Nicaragua, Mirna Marquez Liévano.
Of the total, $31.4 million will be used for social investment projects, such as water and sanitation programs in secondary cities in Nicaragua and for the development of a plan to reduce the amount of non billed water in Masaya.
The European Union has announced contributions for social and electoral programs, as well as infrastructure improvements.
The nonrefundable collaborative agreements signed are for projects for rural roads, community development, poverty reduction, and assistance to those affected by the recent rains among others schemes.
"The $64.4 million will go to El Salvador’s Caring Community Support Program (PACSES in Spanish), who will seek to "reduce poverty and economic and social inequality, primarily in rural areas, according to the chancellor", reads an article from Reuters.
The funds will go to social projects, both productive and humanitarian, that are aimed at groups that have been traditionally excluded.
These projects include various forms of cooperation including technical assistance, as well as humanitarian aid and financial support for different population segments, such as victims of sexual abuse, bodies of the civil protection system like the Fire Department and the agricultural sector and the Vocational Training Institute (INSAFORP).
These funds will allow the construction of 6 facilities that will provide integral assistance to the female population in El Salvador.
The first of these was inaugurated last Monday in the municipality of Colón, department of La Libertad, and six more are planned for the next two years.
This program seeks to improve the quality of life of Salvadoran women, based on providing equal opportunities for both genders.
The IDB representative in Managua, Mirna Liévano, confirmed funding for the country in 2011.
Funds will support initiatives in electricity, transportation, housing and social projects.
On the political situation, the IDB representative added: "... the economic situation in Nicaragua is quite stable, for example, monetary and exchange policies are very predictable,” according to a publication by Prensalibre.com.
The President of the IDB announced funding to meet priorities in Central America and the Dominican Republic.
"This year we will maintain our response and commitment to the region," said Alberto Moreno. “The $ 2.000 million” he added, “will be used to address infrastructure priorities, particularly roads, energy, social safety nets, with an emphasis on strengthening health services, education, housing, natural disasters and climate change, finance and public safety.
The Government requested the funds in order to finance government programs in seven different areas.
The programs are: Support for export production, Urban Community Solidarity Development, City Woman, North and East Rural Connectivity, Passenger Transport in the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador (AMSS), power sector reform, strengthening of Justice and Security.
The government signed a technical and financial assistance treaty with Germany for $ 64 million.
The funds will go to social projects on environment and governance, housing and support programs for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
"The Honduran Minister of the Presidency, expressed satisfaction for completing successfully the intense negotiation process between both economic technical teams, which led to the signing of a cooperation agreement for $ 64 million," reported website Proceso Digital.
Congress has pending approval of 10 loans totaling $ 616 million for social projects.
Of the total 10, four are pending opinion, three have passed the first debate and three more are awaiting the second debate.
Sigloxxi.com adds, "among those pending opinion is one for $ 46.8 million for a program to combat urban poverty by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).