The business sector in Nicaragua believes that the bill under discussion in the Assembly, which empowers the government to fine agricultural producers if they fail to comply with approved phytosanitary standards, has excessive discretion.
A few days ago, a bill called the "Plant Protection Law" was submitted to the National Assembly. This is a legal framework that empowers the Institute of Protection and Health (IPSA) to impose sanctions ranging from $100 to $700 on any producer that does not comply with the requirements at the time the government carries out an inspection.
Business people in Central America agree that because of the virus that has been spreading from China, global supply chains have been disrupted and commodity prices have fallen.
An analysis by the Guatemalan exporters' union states that among the risks identified as a result of the outbreak of the coronavirus (a highly contagious disease that emerged in the city of Wuhan, in central China), is the possible irruption to the supply chains of Guatemalan industries, by identifying that China has become one of the 3 main countries of origin of Guatemalan imports.
The Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers tenders the construction of sanitary sewers in the Greater Metropolitan Area, under the delivery on demand mode.
Costa Rica Government Purchase 2019LN-000021-PRI:
"The objective of this contract is to install new sanitary collection networks in places without service coverage. Included in this objective is the placement of 150 and 200 mm pipes and accessories for main collection pipes and 100 and 150 mm pipes for homes. The construction of manhole wells and home siphon connections is also contemplated.
In El Salvador, the construction of the wastewater treatment plant of the Penitentiary Center of Ciudad Barrios and the expansion of the sewage drainage system in the Penitentiary Center of La Union are tendered.
El Salvador Government Purchase LP-13/2019-MJSP-DGCP:
"The project for the construction of the sewage treatment system in the Ciudad Barrios Penitentiary Center has been designed to sanitarily complement the sewage discharges from said Penitentiary Center; since they are currently discharged into an existing treatment plant that does not comply with the demand of the staff inside the Penitentiary Center.
The Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers) tenders the cleaning and maintenance service of GAM's sanitary sewer network.
Costa Rica Government Purchase 2019LN-000009-PRI:
"Lines to contract:
-General network unblocking
-Unblocking of connection
-Preventive maintenance (general network and connections)
In response to alerts of African Swine Fever cases reported in Asia, authorities in El Salvador reported that they will carry out fumigations on air, land and sea transportation coming from the affected countries.
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) alerted the countries of the region at the end of June to strengthen animal health controls and public and private veterinary services in the member states to prevent the recurrence of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the region.
Reports of African Swine Fever in Asia alert countries in the region to strengthen border controls, especially in the management of food waste from airplanes and ships.
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) urged the strengthening of animal health and public and private veterinary services in the member states to prevent the recurrence of African swine fever (ASF) in the region, the institution warned in a statement.
In Panama the works for the construction of the inter and intradomestic sanitary lines, and of an irrigation system, in the province of Chiriqui are tendered.
Panama Government Purchase 2019-2-66-0-04-LV-014897:
"Study, design and construction of inter- and intradomestic sanitary lines; (ii) operation and maintenance of the treatment plant and pumping stations; (iii) demolition, design and construction of the administrative building, in the city of Puerto Armuelles, province of Chiriquí.
In Nicaragua, the studies and designs for the improvement of the Drinking Water and Sewerage System of the City of San Jorge - Buenos Aires are being tendered.
Nicaragua Government Purchase 14/2019:
"The consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration established in the Policy for Obtaining Goods, Works, Services and Consulting with CABEI Resources and its rules.
Adapt the country's sanitary norms to international standards and unify food import and export systems is part of the plan proposed by the Varela administration.
In order to take advantage of commercial agreements and increase exports to the European and North American markets, the government is working to consolidate its health systems.
The Panamanian Association of Exporters (Apex) CEO, Rosmer Jurado, said to Elcapitalfinanciero.com that "… the government's decision to initiate the process of unification and modernization of the country's health system is key to ensure that importers and exporters fulfill the same standards, so that consumers are assured that imported products meet the same quality requirements as domestic production, ensuring their safety."
The Ministry of Housing in Panama is putting out to tender construction of 10,500 basic health units in the provinces of Coclé, Chiriquí and Herrera.
Panama Government Purchase 2018-0-14-0-02-LV-013415:
"Supply of materials, labor, equipment and administration for construction works for 5,000 basic sanitation units of Hope (includes 5% special units), in all of the districts and towns in the province of Cocle."
The Ministry of Housing in Panama is putting out to tender construction of ten thousand basic sanitation units in the provinces of Veraguas and Panamá Oeste.
Panama Government Purchase 2018-0-14-0-15-LV-013408:
"Supply of materials, labor, equipment and administration for construction works for 5,000 basic sanitation units of Hope (includes 5% special units), in all the districts and towns in the province of Panama Oeste."
The Ministry of Housing in Panama is putting out to tender construction of five thousand basic sanitation units, which will be located in the Capital district, province of Panama.
Panama Government Purchase 2018-0-14-0-08-LV-013383:
"The work consists in the supply and installation of an individual wastewater treatment system for each of the Basic Units of Hope (Including thedesign of the treatment system, absorption field, blind well or infiltration tunneland the percolation tests of each batch representing a sample of thesurrounding soil where the Basic Unit of each lot will be built), in the places where there is no local sanitation system.
The Food Sector Authority has announced new tariffs for technical, sanitary and phytosanitary services which will take effect on 1 April.
From a statement issued by the Panamanian Food Safety Authority:
City of Panama. After several meetings with different associations and the promulgation in the Official Newspaper La Gaceta regarding changes to fees for technical, sanitary and phytosanitary services, the Panamanian Authority for Food Safety (AUPSA), announces that these will become effective from 1 ° of April.