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.
In the Dominican Republic, approvals were granted for the development and operation of four new industrial parks, as well as the respective permits to install 12 new companies in free trade zones.
In the case of the new parks, these will be located in Boca Chica, Valverde, San Cristobal and Santiago, reported the National Council of Export Processing Zones (CNZFE).
Puerta del Istmo, Centro Logístico Quetzal and ZDEEP Piedras Negras, are the projects advancing in Guatemala in the process of becoming Zones of Special Public Economic Development.
In El Salvador, it is proposed that the law discussed in the Assembly, considers the reduction of minimum requirements for investments made in special economic zones, to compensate for the disadvantages of lack of productive activity in the area.
In July 2018, the Executive Branch presented to the Legislative Assembly the draft Law on Special Economic Zones (LZEE), which is being analyzed by the Economy Commission.
In Guatemala, the regulations governing the tariffs to be applied to users, administrators and economic zones have come into force as part of the new legislation on Special Public Economic Development Zones.
The tariffs that will be applied according to the categories established in the regulation, published in the Diario de Centroamérica on June 28th, were effective.
In the Dominican Republic, contracts were approved for the development and operation of four parks in export processing zones and 13 permits for the installation of companies.
The National Council of Export Processing Zones (CNZFE) reported last May 21 that it approved permits for two new parks of processing zones to be built in Boca Chica, and another in Nigua.
Negotiations are being promoted with the US chain for the installation of a distribution center for Latin America in the Colon Free Zone.
Editorial
Panama reserves supermarket operations for local companies, so there could be confusion over the news report from Prensa.com, which states that "... Through a letter signed by Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, a group of businessmen, headed by the general manager of the Colon Free Zone (CFZ), Surse Pierpoint- are seeking to attract the attention of executives at Walmart US to install a distribution center for Latin America in Panama ", indicating the Colon Free Zone (CFZ) as 'the right place'."
Administrators of the Colon Free Zone are promoting its re-exportation services through business appointments with companies other than those in traditional markets.
In order to mitigate the effects of trade restrictions imposed by Colombia and losses from the drop in business with Venezuela, major customers of the Colon Free Zone (CFZ), authorities are changing strategy in order to attract companies from other markets, such as South America.
On July 10th, representatives from companies the free zone regime will meet to discuss issues such as investments outside of the greater metropolitan area and production chains.
In addition to the issue of productive chains generated by companies operating under the free zone regime, discussion will take place on other topics such as opening free zones in areas which are less developed and more remote from the greater metropolitan area, where the majority of the sites offering this tax incentive scheme are located .
With a record $2.207 billion in exports last year in 2012, the nation aims to continue growing its free zone regime, both in terms of the number of companies and volume of exports.
Beyond having obtained these successful figures, the aim is to attract more businesses and diversify economic activities. Within these objectives, the installation of the U.S.
Organizations and unions of Salvadoran maquila workers have proposed the creation of an insurance policy guaranteeing payment of 100% of salaries in the event of closure of business operations.
The bill envisaged by organizations and unions also proposes sanctions such as loss of tax benefits for a period of three months for those companies who commit very serious offenses.
Amendments to the Law on Free Zones will define the rules of the game that employers in El Salvador need to know in order to increase their investments in the textile sector.
The newly formed cluster of synthetic fabric textile companies in El Salvador has temporarily stopped their investment plans in order to see what reforms will be made to the Law on Free Zones. In other words, they want "clear rules".
New investments in the sector are pending the approval of El Salvador's new tax-free zone law.
According to the Salvadoran chamber of textile manufacturers (CAMTEX in Spanish), the reforms being considered by the government comply with all the demands made by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
"However, CAMTEX director, Patricia Figueroa, comments that until the reforms are finally approved by congress the investments will not get the green light," reports Laprensagrafica.com.