The Ministry of Finance is reviewing eliminating life annuities, a benefit which affects about 130 thousand people, in place thanks to a decree by the government of Elias Saca.
Elsalvador.com reports that "According to a study on pensions which the Treasury, along with other institutions, is working on, decree number 100 has cost the Government $6 billion, an amount which must be financed by Salvadoran taxpayers."
Elias Antonio Saca announced his interest in expanding his media business in Nicaragua.
Without giving information on size of investment, he told a local TV station, "Our companies will begin a phase of investment in Nicaragua."
"Saca, who participated last night in a meeting between the government of Daniel Ortega with representatives of the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) of Nicaragua, said it will invest in this country on radio, 'which is basically what our family businesses do', "according to ACAN-EFE.
A precautionary agreement signed by the previous administration in January has been reactivated.
This was announced by President Mauricio Funes, who remarked that even though the agreement had a validity of 6 months, it had been rendered ineffective by lack of compliance with the established conditions.
Capitales.com reports: "On that occasion, the administration of former president Antonio Saca established a 2.7% fiscal deficit, which could not be achieved because of the economic crisis".
The “Roberto D'Aubuisson” nautical station is located on Meanguera Island and it has a capacity for vessels up to 45 meters long.
With an investment of $2.5 million, the project was inaugurated by Salvadoran President Elías Antonio Saca.
Mipunto.com published: "Saca maintained that this is an 'important project' for Central American integration in the Fonseca Gulf zone, which is shared by El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua on the Pacific."
The presidents of both countries agreed that when Sovereignty Bridge (on the El Amatillo border) is opened, they will sign the Central American Customs Union.
Sovereignty Bridge is being built 150 kilometers southeast of Tegucigalpa with funding from the Japanese government. It is expected that work will be completed in the short term.
La Prensa Gráfica published on its website: "The Central American Customs Union is a project that was suggested more than 40 years ago, but it was not until 2007 that a document of agreement to get things moving was signed. The countries with the greatest advances are Guatemala and El Salvador."
In Central America, Antonio Saca is first (66%), followed by Oscar Arias (49%), Martín Torrijos (48%), Álvaro Colom (45%), Daniel Ortega (38%), Manuel Zelaya (25%).
A ranking by Consulta Mitofsky compares the approval ratings of 18 presidents of the Americas, led by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva with a 70% approval rating, followed by Alvaro Uribe of Colombia (69%), and Felipe Calderón of Mexico (68%).
The decrease in tax revenue, mainly from value added tax and customs tariffs, have prevented the timely payments of the State’s obligations.
The elimination of the electricity subsidy payments, which affects those who consume in excess of 99 kilowatts, was a decision that was forced upon the Salvadoran government by the decline in revenues in the face of the economic downturn affecting the country.
The vice president of the United States will meet with isthmus leaders during his visit to Costa Rica on March 29 and 30.
The Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, summoned his counterparts from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. He announced that he will also invite the prime minister of Belize and the winner of next Sunday’s presidential elections in El Salvador.
According to a poll by CID-Gallup, El Salvador's presidential election could be very close. 39% of respondents would vote for Mauricio Funes while 35% would back Rodrigo Ávila.
The article published by Angus Reid Global Monitor on its website states: "In September 2007, Funes became the FMLN’s presidential nominee. In March 2008, Ávila, a former National Police chief, won ARENA’s three-candidate internal nationwide primary."
Community development associations in the region of El Dorado requested President Saca to reconsider his decision not to allow the exploration of precious metals.
At a press conference, the claimants, who denied being employees of Pacific Rim, the Canadian mining company which is mainly affected by the presidential decision, indicated that operation of the El Dorado mine area would bring the jobs needed to alleviate the extreme poverty of local inhabitants.
In 2008, exports to C.A. increased 21.3%, reaching $6.4 billion. Exports to the United States reached $2.2 billion.
La Prensa Gráfica publishes on its website: "Minister Esmahan emphasized, furthermore, that during the period of CAFTA, businesses that export to the United States have grown from 377 to 412, while the number of products has increased from 720 to 932, which is a demonstration of the entrepreneurial vision and of the dynamism of Salvadorian businesspeople in exploring the market of the United States.
The President of the Republic declared that he will not authorize mining exploration permits for the company Pacific Rim.
In an article in Laprensagrafica.com, Keny López Piche writes: “While Elías Antonio Saca is in the presidency, he will not authorize not even one permit (for mining exploration), not even environmental permits, that are previous to the ones granted by the Ministry of Economy,” declared the executive in a phone call made to a catholic radio station that at the time was transmitting a program regarding the consequences of mining in the country."
At the same time that they are making the final step in the elimination of the border for the passage of goods, both countries are calling on the rest of Central America to do the same.
The article in Mipunto.com says that "In Central America, El Salvador and Guatemala have led the customs unification process, which has been contemplated and pushed for since 2003 in the region." ...
Starting next week both countries will eliminate their borders to allow for the movement of merchandise and people, as a part of the integration process.
Elnuevodiario.com.ni reports: "Both countries "will declare the territories free for the movement of people and merchandise" in order to create a joint customs, said Antonio Saca, in the presence of his counterparts from Central America.
The government will send the bill to the Legislative Assembly with a proposal for 90% of the shares to be owned by foreign investors and 10% by the State.
According to elsalvador.com: "The completed La Union Port will be turned over to President Elias Saca next Wednesday. That same day he will send the draft legislation for the concession of the port to the Legislative Assembly.
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