The Constitutional Court has upheld suspension of the license for the Oxec I and II hydroelectric stations, for allegedly failing to consult indigenous peoples in the area before starting the projects.
The decision taken by the Constitutional Court (CC) is seen by the private sector as a threat to legal certainty in the country, because of the projects that are at stake and the effect it will have on other investments that may no longer be made in Guatemala if orders continue to be given to suspend mining and energy projects.
The business sector is against making retroactive consultations on mining and energy projects as they are already under development and is demanding regulation of the implementation of the ILO Convention 169 in order to protect investments.
From a statement issued by the CACIF:
Given recent judgments by the courts, related to consultations on the ILO Convention 169, as well as violent acts committed against some projects which have impacted millions of Guatemalans socially and economically, the organized private sector wishes to declare that:
Entrepreneurs, environmentalists and authorities have formed a committee to review the legislation on processes for obtaining environmental permits.
The commission, which includes members of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE) aims to have a draft ready by October of a new proposal to be submitted for public consultation. Among the rules to be reviewed, is the categorization of the studies, which should "...
The Ministry of Finance has postponed until April 17 the deadline for companies to make their comments on the draft legislation reforming income and sales taxes .
Originally the deadline for providing comments on the tax proposal was March 27, but at the request of several sectors it has been extended until April 17, according to the chief of Finance, Helio Fallas.
Public consultation is being given to the draft reform proposed by the Ministry of Finance to the Law of General Sales Tax.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance of Costa Rica:
• Proposal is available to read at www.hacienda.go.cr
The Ministry of Finance today made available to the public, a proposal for draft amendments to the Law on General Sales Tax Act and Income Tax, aiming to open up a space to receive observations and recommendations from the sectors and citizens interested in participating in this process, which is needed to strengthen public finances and achieve a National Agreement for Social Development.
Public consultation is to be given to a bill which aims to promote large investments by providing incentives for the creation of investment companies which have a minimum capital of $30 million.
It is expected that next week members of the Superintendency of Banks and Other Financial Institutions will comment on the Investment Bill, which seeks to create and strengthen measures to promote large investments in the country.
The National Assembly will be receiving comments on the draft law establishing rules on the content and dissemination of information on products derived from tobacco.
From a statement issued by the National Assembly of Panama:
Deputy Carlos Afu will be chairing a subcommittee to discuss Bill No. 136, which establishes provisions related to the content and dissemination of information on products derived from tobacco, amending Articles 4, 5, 6, 9, 11 and 26 Law 13 of January 24, 2008 and other provisions ".
The proposed changes aim to flexibilize sales of bulk cement and include on the packaging a use by date and recommended storage conditions.
In order to improve cement sales in the country, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has put to public consultation modifications to the technical regulation RTCR 383: 2004 on Hydraulic Cements, aimed at changing the rules on labeling and packaging of the product, among other things.