Reducing costs and barriers to foreign trade in Central American economies is key for the region to overcome the economic recession caused by the outbreak of Covid-19.
A report prepared by the World Bank explains that boosting economic activity and employing a higher percentage of the labor force are objectives that can be achieved through reforms that strengthen the private sector and attract investment.
The World Bank predicts that by the end of this year Panama and the Dominican Republic will be the economies of the region that will grow the most, and the countries that will report the lowest increases in their production will be Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
After the region's economies were considerably affected in 2020 by the sanitary crisis generated by the Covid-19 outbreak, the outlook of international organizations for 2021 is encouraging.
The business sector opposes the bill that intends to stimulate the economy and local tourism, through the establishment of mandatory rest days and salary surcharges on the days of national events.
This is Bill 487, which is called "Adopting a temporary regime of economic, cultural and national tourism stimulus, through the establishment of mandatory rest days and salary surcharges on national event days", which was presented to the Panamanian Assembly on September 28, 2020.
In order to reactivate the Panamanian economy that has been damaged by the outbreak of covid-19, the Ministry of Economy and Finance will present to the National Assembly a bill to extend the tax amnesty and approve new tax relief measures.
The Cabinet Council, led by President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, authorized, today, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Hector Alexander to present to the National Assembly, the bill extending the tax amnesty, as well as new tax relief measures with a view to reactivate the national economy, explains an official document.
The agile execution of economic stimulus programs, the considerable increase in public debt and the need to accelerate the process of economic reactivation are the lights, shadows and challenges identified a year after Alejandro Giammattei took office as president of Guatemala.
Strengthening the confidence of economic agents through a solution to the problem of public finances and moving forward with the process of vaccinating the population are key factors for the Costa Rican economy to recover quickly in the new year.
The spread of covid-19 and the restrictions imposed at the local and global levels severely affected most of Costa Rica's productive sectors, to the extent that the unemployment rate climbed to historical levels, several businesses were closed and economic activity fell sharply.
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration approved a line of credit that the government will use to finance programs in the education, health, housing and road infrastructure sectors.
The loan is aimed at the Multisectoral Program for Economic Reactivation and Social Protection (NIC-Solidaria), which aims to initially support at least 41 projects and programs of public investment, production and social assistance, reported the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI).
In the context of the economic crisis generated by the covid-19 outbreak, the CABEI approved a line of credit that the Panamanian government will use to finance the general state budget and programs for health protection, education and food security.
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) approved $250 million as part of the Development Policy Operations Program (DPO) to the Republic of Panama to financially support the country's economic recovery, the financial agency reported.
In Costa Rica, the number of people visiting commercial establishments, restaurants and entertainment venues has been rising in recent months, but consumption levels are still low, due to unemployment and limited income.
Because of the quarantine caused by the covid-19 outbreak, April was when people stayed longer in residential areas; however, according to Google mobility reports, as of June mobility patterns began to change.
As of June, Central American economies began to show signs of incipient recovery and as of August, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica registered the smallest drops in their levels of economic activity.
Since March of this year, the region has faced a severe economic crisis generated by the outbreak of covid-19. The strict quarantines decreed, the closure of borders and commercial establishments, ended up damaging the dynamism of productive activities.
Almost three months before the gradual reopening of the Guatemalan economy, it is estimated that eight out of every ten consumers already visit supermarkets, while one out of every four people living in the capital have left for other departments in the country.
With the publication of Ministerial Agreement 187-2020, the Health Alert System for the covid-19 epidemic was made official and the authorities gradually eliminated restrictions on mobility and productive activities.
Arguing that this is misleading advertising, the Directorate of Consumer Services has sanctioned businesses that offer "covid-19 free zones" in the country's capital.
According to Guatemalan authorities, five establishments have already been sanctioned, since these businesses have offered free covid-19 tests or masks that ensure total protection against infection, which is classified as misleading advertising.
Agriculture, Financial and Insurance Activities, and Real Estate Activities, are the sectors that in Guatemala and in the context of the economic reopening, have increased their growth forecasts for 2020.
In June, when mobility restrictions were severe in the country due to the outbreak of covid-19, the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat) predicted that by the end of the year, Agriculture would grow by 1.1%, Financial and insurance activities by 2% and Real estate activities by 2.8%.
As part of the process of economic reactivation, starting October 12, Panama will be allowed to reopen swimming pools, cinemas, theaters, museums, galleries, hotels, casinos and tourist sites with closed structures, at 50% of their capacity.
The National Government issued Executive Decree No. 1142 of October 7, 2020 in the Official Gazette, which authorizes the reactivation, operation and mobilization of people in hotels, motels, rural hostels, lodging sites and complementary services, details an official statement.
In Guatemala, the Giammattei administration decided not to request an extension of the State of Calamity and as of October 1, cinemas, pubs, parks, swimming pools will be reopened and events, fairs and concerts will also be allowed, even if the place is on red alert.
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