The Legislative Assembly approved in second debate a bill that aims to tax in the country the sale and self-consumption of imported or locally produced cement.
The initiative, which was approved in the first debate in the Assembly in mid-February and is still pending approval by the Executive Branch, establishes that the tax will be on imported cement produced nationally, in bags or in bulk, for sale or self-consumption, of any kind, whose destination is the consumption and marketing of the product nationally.
The lack of a competition law in Guatemala could expose the country to sanctions from the European authorities, since it is a requirement demanded in the regulations of the Association Agreement with the European Union.
Since the end of 2016, the Association Agreement (AdA) required Guatemala to have a law on the matter, since in 2019 a Central American competition authority would have to be created.
Changes in legislation restricting the use of disposable plastic containers and packaging force companies to look for other options, some of which could be up to five times more expensive.
In Costa Rica, the Legislative Assembly ratified the ban on the import, marketing and distribution of expanded polystyrene containers, better known as styrofoam.
With the approval in Second Debate of file 19.833 "Addition of an article 42 bis, a paragraph d) to article 50 and the transitory XIII, XIV and XV to the Law for the Integral Management of Waste, No.
The bill being discussed in Costa Rica basically seeks to extinguish the assets of organized crime, but there are those who claim that as proposed, it puts at risk the presumption of innocence of individuals.
The extinction of domain is a concept that in practice refers to seizing or confiscating assets linked to criminal activities, and then transferring them in favor of the State.
In the Central American region, the average unemployment rate for those aged between 15 and 24 is estimated to be around 11%, with lack of work experience being the main barrier to accessing the first job.
According to figures from the Central American Observatory of Social Development, Costa Rica and Panama are the countries in the region with the highest rates of youth unemployment, with 27% and 15%, respectively.
The Congress of Costa Rica has been inspired by the famous tango Cambalache and now those who "work day and night like an ox are the same as those who live off other people, those who kill are the same as those who cure, or those who live outside the law..."
EDITORIAL
The Costa Rican Legislative Assembly has given final approval to a bill that clears the records of crimes committed by people after they have served their sentences. Until now, criminal records have only been "cleaned" after 10 years have passed since the sentence was carried out.
From December 2016 the Asian country will prevent the entry of agricultural products containing any residues of agrochemicals.
From a statement issued by the State Phytosanitary Service in Costa Rica:
SFE authorities have communicated to exporters of unprocessed plant products destined for Korea, that this nation has established a new legislation on Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of pesticides.
A bill introduced by the government intends to streamline access to the Panamanian market for foreign companies in the provision of maritime auxiliary services.
Excerpted from the bill introduced by the government of Panama:
Law 41 of June 14, 2013, through which reform is made to Law No. 8 of 1998 is amended by Decree, Act 56 of 2008 and Act 57 of 2008 which dictates other provisions on the work at sea and on waterways, significantly restricting access to the Panamanian market to foreign investors in the provision of maritime auxiliary services in the Republic of Panama.
The process of fixing prices, the tax structure and lack of investment in distribution are hindering the development of a market with great potential.
From a report by the Department of Agriculture of the United States:
Guatemala is the strongest potential biofuels producer in Central America given the high yields of sugarcane and palm oil and its efficient local industries.
The countries in the region are working on the development of a standard to regulate anti-competitive practices by regional companies.
The first draft of the new regulations was presented at the VII Central American Competition Forum.
"There are markets where competition problems cross borders and affect more than one country, we are working on a competition law and on the creation of an authority which has the power to implement it in Central America," said Francisco Diaz Rodriguez, Superintendent of Competition in El Salvador.
The fulfillment of the obligation to report on foreign bank accounts belonging to U.S. citizens has been postponed to July 1, 2014.
This was announced by the U.S. Treasury through a statement, explaining that "due to the huge interest from countries around the world" the deadline to comply with the Law on Foreign Account Tax Compliance (FATCA), will be extend by six months, that is until July 1, 2014.