In Guatemala were published in the Diario de Centroamerica the sanctions of the laws for the Simplification of Administrative Requirements and Procedures and Free Zones, regulatory frameworks that aim to encourage investments and job creation.
In the June 1, 2021 edition of the Diario de Centroamerica, the texts of Decree 5-2021, which corresponds to the Law for the Simplification of Administrative Requirements and Procedures, and Decree 6-2021, which refers to the Free Trade Zones Law, were included. See complete publication.
After the announcement of the Bill that creates the Program for the Modernization of the Logistics Services Infrastructure in the Colon Free Zone in Panama, local businessmen believe that more attractive incentives should be sought.
Last April 28, the Assembly reported that the Minister of Commerce and Industries, Ramon Martinez presented to the plenary of the Legislative Body the bill that creates the Program for the Modernization of the Infrastructure of Logistics Services in the Colon Free Zone (ZLC), and introduces amendments to Law 8 of April 4, 2016.
After in Costa Rica the mayor of Alajuela filed an action of unconstitutionality to revert the authentic interpretation approved by the deputies for the payment of real estate taxes applicable to free zones, the Chamber ruled negatively to the legal recourse filed.
The magistrates determined that the allegations presented on March 16, 2021 by Humberto Soto, mayor of the municipality of Alajuela, were incorrect and the appeal was rejected.
After the Mayor of Alajuela filed an action of unconstitutionality in Costa Rica to revert the exoneration of real estate taxes applicable to free trade zones, the business sector believes that legal certainty is being undermined.
On March 16, 2021 Humberto Soto, Mayor of the municipality of Alajuela, filed an action of unconstitutionality. This legal recourse has the objective of reverting the exemption that free zones enjoy for the payment of the real estate tax.
The Panamanian government issued a favorable concept for the establishment and operation of five free trade zones in the country, which together project an investment of $22 million.
The free trade zones, which will develop diverse economic activities such as agribusiness, scientific research centers, storage of goods, international trade, fruit processing and agricultural production, among others, will be located in the provinces of Panama, Chiriqui and Herrera, informed the Presidency of Panama.
America Free Zone, located in Heredia, Costa Rica, plans to execute an investment plan in the next few years totaling close to $120 million and contemplates the implementation of electro-lane stations and the construction of new infrastructure.
Executives of the business complex informed that up to now they offer their clients 200 thousand m2 of space for business activities, but the medium-term plans are to add another 60 thousand m2.
In Guatemala, the Miel Verde project, Special Public Economic Zone, was approved. In its first phase of development, it will require an investment of close to $4 million and will be located in the municipality of Río Hondo, department of Zacapa.
The new special zone will have a total area of 23,544 square meters, however, in the first phase only an area of approximately 5,173 square meters will be developed.
Portafolio Inmobiliario announced that it will begin the development of the Green Valley Free Trade Zone project, which in its first stage contemplates the construction of a Free Trade Zone located in the municipality of Grecia, province of Alajuela.
The total land on which the project will be located amounts to more than one million square meters, however, its construction will be carried out in stages.
Last year the commercial activity of the Panamanian Free Zone totaled $18,469 million, 10% less than what was reported in 2018.
From January to December 2019 imports in the Colon Free Zone (CFZ) totaled $8,655 million, and re-exports totaled $9,814 million, decreasing by 11% and 9% compared to the same period in 2018, respectively.
Regarding figures reported in December last year, a report of the General Comptroller of the Republic states that the value traded reached $ 1,391 million, 6% more compared to the same month in 2018.
In Honduras, a law reform was approved that simplifies the procedures that local and foreign companies must follow to take advantage of the Free Zone Law and extends for 15 more years the benefits that it grants to the companies of the regime.
From the National Congress of Honduras' statement:
The law was more than 44 years old and needed to be updated to make Honduras competitive
Faced with the decline in commercial activity in the Panamanian Free Trade Zone, its directors are looking for new business opportunities in markets in the Caribbean.
With the reform proposal to the Law of Free Zones presented to Congress, it is intended to reduce from 20 to 10 the requirements that must be met to approve a new free zone.
After several months of working on the proposal to make changes to the law, the file was submitted to the legislative chamber and prepared by the Honduran Maquiladora Association (AHM), the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Honduras and the Ministry of Economic Development (SDE).
The second project was authorized in Guatemala to install a Special Public Economic Development Zone, which will require an initial investment of $16 million and will be located in Pajapita, department of San Marcos.
"Puerta del Istmo" is the name of the industrial park, which will be on a 160-hectare site and will house industrial and logistics companies.
In Panama, a bill is planned to convert the provinces of Los Santos and Herrera into a Special Economic Zone, which will offer tax and labor incentives to companies in the agricultural sector that decide to invest in the area.
Representative Julio Mendoza, of the Democratic Revolutionary Party, announced that in the coming weeks he will present a bill to the Assembly to create the Special Economic Zone of Azuero.
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