Following the visit of US Vice President Kamala Harris to Guatemala, the business sector assures that in order to reduce illegal migration from Central America to the US, it is necessary to create a favorable and comfortable environment for local and foreign investment in the countries of the region.
As part of Harris' visit to Guatemala, Agexport prepared a document with proposals that reflect the experience it has accumulated over many years, incorporating Guatemalans and small rural businesses into export chains, generating income that allows them to remain in their territories.
Strengthening trade between the US and the region, fighting corruption in the Northern Triangle and reducing illegal migration flows, are some of the axes on which Joe Biden, the US president who has been sworn in, is expected to focus.
Biden, representative of the Democratic Party and winner of the last US elections, whose results were close, arrives at the White House to replace Donald Trump.
Guatemalan exporters report that President Trump's warning about export tariffs and taxes on remittances and transfers is raising doubts among U.S. buyers.
Uncertainty prevails among most Guatemalan businessmen after President Trump reacted to the provisional protection established by the Guatemalan Constitutional Court, which limits the functions of the Executive Branch to negotiate or sign any foreign policy agreement.
Guatemala's business sector responded with concern to President Trump's warning about imposing export tariffs and levies on remittances and transfers.
The announcement made by the president of the United States comes after the Guatemalan Constitutional Court issued a ruling in which it limits its foreign policy functions to the Executive, by granting a provisional injunction that prevents the negotiation or signing of any agreement.
In the NAFTA review carried out by the Central American and U.S. authorities, it is ruled out that the U.S. government will apply trade sanctions in retaliation for the deepening of the migration problem.
After the Trump administration pressured Mexico with the threat of increased tariffs on Mexican imports, the region has generated expectations for the planned review of the NAFTA with Central America.
The execution of five energy and infrastructure projects in Southern Mexico and the Northern Triangle of Central America could boost the area's economic growth and slow migration.
The projects discussed now are not new, they have been part of the discussion of the region's businessmen and governments for years, but now they have come back into the discussion, as a possible response to the pressure exerted by the U.S.
The disordered nature of their living conditions has been described as a positive catalyst for creative thinking.
When talking about successful immigrants, emphasis has traditionally been given to their hunger for progress, their determination, and their hard working nature. But modern studies on the subject are drawing more attention to the "world being turned upside down" -which is what happens to those who emigrate- as the main factor which explains how so many immigrants are revealed to have exceptional, even genius capabilities.
"... Some of the professions reserved for national citizens are chemical engineering and petrochemicals, careers which are not offered by any university in Panama. "
EDITORIAL
Acting as a backdrop to the contradiction between migrant's human right to work and the need to reserve jobs for nationals, is the upkeep of competitiveness and economic development of each country.
The increasing international mobility of "business travelers" does not have adequate regulation in terms of taxes or migration.
From Deloitte Costa Rica’s Tax Column:
Considerations for business travelers
By: Mr. Diego Padilla Duran
Junior consultant
From 2013, the Directorate General of Immigration will be taking measures for a more efficient implementation of the sanctions provided for in Article 33 of the General Law of Immigration, Law No. 8764. According to these rules, the sum of one hundred dollars in U.S. currency ($ 100) will be charged for each month of illegal stay in the country to people who do not meet the requirements of the law in this area.
Faced with the offensive represented by Barack Obama's immigration reform project , Central American countries must strengthen their own policies in order to retain their most valuable and scarce human capital.
Elnuevoherald.com reports that " President Barack Obama's immigration reform plan includes a large increase in visas for foreign students graduating in science and engineering, which will pose a huge challenge for China, India and Latin America: these emerging countries will have to get their act together if they want to retain their best brains, or suffer the highest brain drain in recent history. "
"If a person with 20 years of education emigrates and another person, with 12 years of education immigrates, the country has suffered a net loss of 8 years of investment in training."
The retention of human capital and recruitment of highly qualified human resources from other countries is of vital importance to nations.
Human resource mobility is increasing, and although this increases the productivity of the global economy it also means significant gains or losses in particular countries, according to the direction of migratory flow.
Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras will share information on migration between their territories.
El Salvador´s Director of Immigration, Ruben Alvarado, consulted by Reuters, referred to the issue, "….the exchange of information was agreed on migration of people who have been denied visas or residence, deportation or expulsion, and who have submitted fraudulent or altered documents those as well as those who have arrest warrants."
In Central America Costa Rica is at the top (with 54 in overall ranking), followed by Panama (60), El Salvador (106), Honduras (112), Guatemala (122), and Nicaragua (124).
"This report breaks new ground in applying a human development approach to the study of migration. It discusses who migrants are, where they come from and go to, and why they move. It looks at the multiple impacts of migration for all who are affected by it–not just those who move, but also those who stay."
In Central America Costa Rica is at the top (with 54 in overall ranking), followed by Panama (60), El Salvador (106), Honduras (112), Guatemala (122), and Nicaragua (124).
"This report breaks new ground in applying a human development approach to the study of migration. It discusses who migrants are, where they come from and go to, and why they move. It looks at the multiple impacts of migration for all who are affected by it–not just those who move, but also those who stay."
Fourth quarter of 2008 registers first decline in nearly a decade. Flows of money sent home by migrants hit by economic slowdown, exchange rate swings
After almost a decade of growth, remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean are likely to decline in 2009 for the first time since the Inter-American Development Bank started tracking these flows in the year 2000. Remittances have been decreasing since late 2008.