Businessmen from Central America and the Dominican Republic ask that ILO Convention 190 not be ratified, arguing that countries already have regulations to deal with violence and harassment in the workplace.
The Federation of Private Entities of Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic (Fedepricap), through a statement dated August 9, reported that they agreed to request from the governments "...
The union of free zones in the Dominican Republic and the Colon Free Zone in Panama signed an agreement to promote trade between both countries.
Best practices and customs processes, exchange of experiences and joint promotion of trade between Panama and the Dominican Republic, are some of the agreed points, according to representatives of the National Council of Free Trade Zones (CNZFE) in the Dominican Republic.
The approved agreements in maritime and air transport provide the basis for establishing direct air routes and will allow vessels flying the Panamanian flag to receive preferential treatment in Chinese ports.
Panamanian authorities ratified the transport agreements with the Asian country, which includes the civil air transport agreement, through which both countries laid the foundations to establish direct routes, opening space to establish commercial or cargo flights between both countries.
The government has signed a multilateral agreement that allows modification to the network of treaties to avoid double taxation.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy and Finance:
The Government of Panama, represented by the Ambassador of Panama in France, José Fábrega, signed on January 24, the Multilateral Agreement to adopt measures to prevent the erosion of the tax base and the transfer of benefits that affect tax agreements (MLI), at a ceremony held in Paris.
The Convention on Mutual Tax Assistance approved by the Assembly increases, from 30 to 107, the number of partner jurisdictions or nations with whom Panama can exchange information.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy and Finance:
With Panama's accession to the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters (MAC), the country has increased the number of partner jurisdictions or nations with which it can perform an exchange of information from 30 to 107.This measures reiterates the commitment to international standards of fiscal transparency, which is essential for protecting the integrity of the country as a service center.
The government has endorsed the first loan from the Japanese cooperation of $262 million to finance technical and financial studies for Line 3 of the Panama Metro.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry of Panama:
The Cabinet Council authorized on Tuesday the signing of a loan agreement between Panama and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the amount of up to 29,575 million Japanese yen ($262.102.448.23) for the "Project Line 3 Urban transport for the Metropolitan area of Panama ".
Representatives of the private sector in Panama and Chile have signed a cooperation agreement that evaluates the inclusion of new products and services in the trade agreement.
The private sector seeks to expand the scope of the first FTA signed by Panama with a South American country, exploring the possibility of adding more goods and services to those which already enjoy tariff privileges referred to in the agreement.
With the modifications negotiated for Partial Scope Agreement Panama will obtain new preferences for 73 tariff lines and improvements in 31 lines, related to agricultural and industrial products.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Panama (ICIM):
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Meliton Arrocha, expressed his satisfaction at the completion of negotiations of the First Protocol Amending the Partial Scope Agreement with the Republic of Cuba, at the formal signing ceremony to be held in Havana, Cuba, November 7.
A strike has been announced as part of the negotiation of a collective agreement, bringing risk to one of the most dynamic sectors of the Panamanian economy.
In the absence of an agreement between the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (CAPAC) and the Trade Union of Construction Workers and Similar (Suntracs) to sign the collective agreement, the union has announced strikes in the sector.
Signing of the treaty is aimed at improving the control of the criminal offenses committed through the Internet.
This week Panama became the second Latin American country after the Dominican Republic, to sign the European Convention on Cybercrime, the first international treaty on criminal offenses committed on the Internet.
"The main objective of the treaty also known as the Budapest Convention, named after the Hungarian capital where it was first signed in 2001, is to reach a common criminal policy aimed at the protection of society against cybercrime, through the adoption of appropriate legislation and stimulation of international cooperation. "
The U.S. has chosen Panama to be part of the Global Entry agreement which allows expedited entry into the airport in that country.
Tocumen International Airport is considered one of the safest in the region, one of the reasons leading to Panama being one of the countries chosen to form part of the bilateral agreement for trusted travelers known as Global Entry.
Both nations will begin negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement as a step towards the incorporation of Panama into the Pacific Alliance.
From a press release by the Ministry of Economy of Mexico:
The governments of the United States of Mexico and the Republic of Panama have formally announced the decision to start negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement.
Besides the interest in developing exchanges of goods and services, Mexico intends, with this agreement, to consolidate its leadership in the Pacific Alliance.
It is expected that in April, a negotiating team from Panama will arrive in Mexico, in order to start a first round of negotiations on route to signing of a Free Trade Agreement, which will not only increase the exchange of goods and services between the two countries, but will also allow greater integration in Latin America and strengthen Mexico's leadership as head of the Pacific Alliance.
The company Norberto Odebrecht and the National Institute of Vocational Training for Human Development (Inadeh) have signed an agreement for cooperation and training.
The aim is to cover the lack of trained personnel to meet the demand generated by the third phase of the coastal road "Cinta Costera".
This agreement will directly benefit hundreds of participants in the Continuing Professional Qualification Program (Creer), which develops the sustainability of the project, and consists of technical courses to develop skilled staff. More than 450 residents of the village of El Chorrillo have benefited from this program, 180 in the first round and 300 in the second", reported Capital.com.pa
Panamanian livestock farmers are traveling to Brazil to try to sign a research agreement with the Brazilian Zebu Association in order to improve the Zebu breed in their country.
A delegation of Panamanian farmers traveled recently to Uberaba, Brazil, to explore the signing of a research agreement with the Brazilian Zebu Association during Latin America's largest cattle fair.