In the context of the tense diplomatic and commercial relationship between the two world powers, Central American countries could have the opportunity to attract new investments, as it is estimated that some American companies would need to migrate their operations to the American continent.
As a result of the tension between the two nations, Mauricio Claver-Carone, an advisor to President Trump, believes that U.S.
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation offered a $250 million quota for companies in the country to invest in health sector projects.
Directors of the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) were the ones who reported last May 11 the existence of these financial resources. The exclusivity of these $250 million for companies in the health sector is due to the current health emergency situation, which derives from the outbreak of covid-19.
After the Constitutional Court temporarily suspended the legal framework regulating part-time work in Guatemala, a new proposal advances in Congress.
This is bill 5477 has received a favorable opinion from the Labor Commission of the Congress of the Republic and is pending discussion in the plenary of deputies.
How many hours you can hire under this modality and what type of coverage the Social Security will give these workers, are some of the doubts that businessmen still have in Guatemala.
Regarding the number of hours an employee can be hired, Juan Ernesto de León, vice-president of the Labor, Legal and Human Resources Committee of the Guatemalan American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), explained to Prensalibre.com that "...
Guatemalan companies are invited to participate in the third commercial and academic mission scheduled to take place in San Francisco, United States, from June 3 to 5.
The Guatemalan-American Chamber of Commerce is the institution organizing the mission, which aims to acquire new knowledge and establish contacts with companies such as Google, Uber, Cisco and Microsoft, among others.
During the first semester of the year the country acquired $546 million in Foreign Direct Investment flows, 4.6% less than the $573 million reported in the same period of 2017.
According to the figures of the Banco de Guatemala of the total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from January to June of this year, $183 million went to the Trade sector, $97 million to the Manufacturing Industry, $89 million to Banks and insurance companies, $58 million to Telecommunications and $52 million to Electricity.
Recent corruption cases and the suspension of mining licenses could affect the foreign investment figures projected by the Bank of Guatemala for the close of 2017.
The latest data from the Bank of Guatemala indicates that in the first semester foreign direct investment totaled $579 million, of which $144 million went to the manufacturing industry.The increase in the total FDI flow registered between January and June was only 2.3% compared to the same period in 2016, and by the end of the year the Banguat plans to reach $1.3 billion.
Entrepreneurs are warning that illegal payments are still being made for getting goods through because the intervention operation has not worked.
The business community believes that the operation for intervention in customs offices has not worked properly and users have to make illicit payments in order to get their goods through.
"... Because of the long lines caused by the slow procedures and inspection of goods, carriers must pay between $13 and $64 to avoid being punished," said Carolina Castellanos, executive director of the Guatemalan American Chamber of Commerce ( AmCham).
The Tax Authority is reviewing whether to concession the services provided by the Vehicle Registration Tax.
This was announced by Superintendent Carlos Muñoz, who told a group of businessmen from the Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce (AmCham).
According to Muñoz, the project is under analysis and in the next 30 days the results will be made known, which will specify whether or not to grant it to a private company.
In a forum organized by the Guatemalan American Chamber of Commerce, several concerns were expressed with the draft reform of the constitution promoted by the Perez Molina administration.
In the view of the lawyer, Gabriel Orellana, forum participant, "... the process (of reform) inspires distrust."
Jose Raul Gonzalez on behalf of the business sector said that "...
Among the changes requested by the Guatemalan private sector, are the elimination of insurance for theft of goods in transit and the current billing method.
Private sector representatives together with the Tax Authority (SAT) are working on a draft for a new law, which introduces changes to almost 80% of the current Customs Act.
"... The American Chamber of Commerce has asked for changes to the billing method prescribed in current law, which provides for the entry of the net price of the merchandise. It opposed the $250 fines for invoices that do not comply with the new format, and also severe measures such as the suspension of customs agents. It is alsoagainst criminalizing a shipment arriving which is, for example, 5 percent over weight or over value", reports Elperiodico.com. gt.
The American Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce noted that the implementation of the Act without the respective regulations is confusing, taking away transparency in the system and increasing costs.
The Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) has requested that the Government suspend the Customs Act, which was included in the recently approved tax reform.
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