The only routes to success that exist, "whether they are right wing or left wing, are those requiring structural reforms to boost value, and prudence in the administration of the State".
"In Latin America, ... not all countries take advantage of the bonanza in the same way ... [the bonanza] in prices of raw materials, low interest rates, easy access to the international financial markets and in receiving FDI are abundant ...
Why not entrust a binational group of private businessmen the development of a region where poverty is currently the only truth?
EDITORIAL
Recent statements by a former minister of Costa Rica explain much of the underdevelopment of Central American countries.
Under the heat of chauvinism and patriotism put forward by leaders during electoral campaigns and by officials who are simply not qualified for the positions they occupy, the border dispute between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, in Isla Calero, at the mouth of San Juan river, has not been resolved.
A constitutional statue law on the Special Development Regions (RED’s by Spanish initials) has been approved in the first debate in Congress.
The new law defines RED’s as autonomous cities, which will be led by an "executive governor", a "policy board" and a "constitutional council". The governor will also serve as executive chairman, who will issue policy advice laws and finally the "constitutional council" will apply the laws through judges.
The Government of Honduras signed an agreement with the Korean company Posco, to carry out feasibility studies for the construction of the first "charter city".
The agreement states that the Korean company will perform the necessary analysis to determine whether it is possible to build the charter cities in selected regions.
A Honduran government delegation headed by President Wolf, traveled to South Korea in February, which allowed closer business ties to be forged with companies such as Posco.
The countries agreed to cooperate in the development of special management areas in Honduras.
"Charter Cities" are development-oriented, and the objective pursued by President Porfirio Lobo is to encourage domestic and foreign investment.
"During their meeting, Wolf and Lee agreed to cooperate in the development of such plans for special areas in Honduras and seek ways to collaborate in trade, investment, education, health and infrastructure development in the Central American country," Terra.com informs.
With support from most of the 128 deputies from five political parties, Congress approved the project submitted by the Executive branch.
The decree will allow construction of the first Model City, to be built on the Honduran Atlantic area, becoming a legal entity in itself and with its own administration system.
"The legislative decision showed support for President Lobo, who yesterday told his countrymen the project would attract foreign investment to Honduras," reported the article in Lahora.com.gt.
In an area of 33 square km, the government promotes a project to build a 'Charter Cities' or 'Model City'.
Despite the criticism of the project, President Porfirio Lobo Sosa asked Congress for approval.
La Tribuna reported statements from the President "... a clear example of success is what happened in Hong Kong, China, they have progressed and we have them here selling ...
Business sectors and unions promote the creation of a formal setting in order to promote "policies of economic and social content."
The representatives belong to the Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (CACIF) and leaders from of the Guatemalan Workers Union (UGT).
An article by Byron Dardón of Prensalibre.com collected statements from entrepreneur Philip Bosch, director of the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala, "the council claims to be an interlocutor of the public power, under the principle of society´s participation in matters concerning the public."
The term "charter cities" by economist Paul Romer is in principle very attractive, but besides the obvious implementation difficulties, it smells like new colonialism.
Aditya Chakrabortty, in his article in The Guardian, dissects economist Paul Romer and his idea of introducing in poor countries, cities with special laws and regulations which would allow meteoric economic development.