Exports & imports incentives Ministry of Commerce and Industries (Panama) exports Gremial de Agroexportadores no Tradicionales de Panamá Industry Roberto Henríquez Asociación Panameña de Exportadores Certificados de Abono Tributario (CAT) World Trade Organization industrial sector Certificado de Fomento a la Agroexportación (Cefa) Edwin Pérez Agronomy Florencio Edwin Pérez

Panama Withdraws Exports Subsidy

The Government won't renew an export subsidy known as CAT ("Certificados de Abono Tributario").

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Within the recently approved law for Industry Promotion, a non-transferable fiscal bonus was included as a CAT substitute, explained Roberto Henríquez, Commerce and Industry Minister.

Henríquez also told newspaper Prensa.com that "...this subsidy [CAT], will expire on December 31st, because it is against WTO commitments and it has been prone to irregularities".

Source: Prensa.com

¿Busca soluciones de inteligencia comercial para su empresa?

Key entities

Roberto Henríquez World Trade Organization Edwin Pérez Gremial de Agroexportadores no Tradicionales de Panamá Ministry of Commerce and Industries (Panama)

Countries

Panama

Insight

Industry incentives industrial sector exports Certificados de Abono Tributario (CAT) Industry Exports & imports

Certificates of Export Promotion in Panama

January 2013

As set out in the FTA with the U.S., Canada and the European Union, Panama has three months to remove or replace these incentives.

Authorities from the MICI, the Panama Exporters Association (APEX) and the Union of Agro export of non-traditional products (Gantrap) are preparing a proposal, which must first be approved by the Cabinet Council and later by the National Assembly.

Panama: Tax Exemptions of $23.4 million

July 2011

In 2010, the state granted exemptions and incentives worth $ 23.4 million to exporters, mainly through Tax Credit Certificates (CAT in Spanish).

A total of 1359 CAT were endorsed for $18.9 million, relating to exports in 2009. This mechanism was halted at the end of that year, for being incompatible with standards set by the World Trade Organization.

Japan Lifts Restrictions to Panamanian Fruits

April 2010

The Asian country waived a series of food health measures which prevented Panamanian melons, pineapples, watermelons and gourds from entering its market.

Such decision was taken after the region of Azuero was recognized as free from the Mediterranean fly (Moscamed).

Florencio Edwin Pérez, president of the nontraditional agro exporters union Gantrap, commented that “the only obstacle impeding Panama from entering this market was the recognition of the Azuero region as free from the fly”.

Panama: New Subsidy for Exports

October 2009

Dubbed CEFA (Certificates for Fostering Agroexports), it will replace the former one named CAT (Taxpaying Certificates).

The project created by CEFA will be presented to the Legislative Assembly in the upcoming weeks, reported Luis Víctor Viallarreal, vice minister of Agricultural Development.