The Federation of Central American Chambers of Commerce (FECAMCO in Spanish) demands that a new SIECA head be appointed in line with the relevant institutional guidelines.
A press release by FECAMCO states that, "the institutional foundations of Central American integration have been weakened by the failure of proper legal procedures to be followed in the appointment of the head of the Secretariat of Central American Economic Integration (SIECA)".
The trade Minister of Costa Rica said that the "better governance process" in SIECA, initiated by Yolanda Mayora, had "raised antibodies" at the regional institution.
There is no doubt that the economic future of Central America and the possibilities of development of its people are linked to regional integration, starting with all which refers to the free exchange of goods and services and the ability to be presented to the world as a single block.
"SIECA is currently under question, ever since the appointment of the Secretary General was made abnormally."
The Federation of Private Entities of CA, Panama and Dominican Republic (FEDEPRICAP), canceled a meeting with the Spanish Organizations Confederation because the meeting was sponsored by the Central American Economic Integration Department (SIECA) as part of a project which manages the Department itself.
"Only when there are real common external tariffs we will be able to take full advantage of the Agreement with the European Union."
It is still important to keep this issue in mind. This was the warning given by the head of the EU mission in El Salvador, Stefano Gatto, who recalls that the full force of the Agreement with the European Union is contingent upon the existence of a common external tariff by all signatory countries.
"What we're asking for is the application of due process, transparency and respect for institutions, so not to impose a Secretary General in violation of the procedures and mechanisms established in the Central American instruments" said Minister of Foreign Trade, Anabel González.
Following the resignation of Yolanda Mayor, Ernesto Torres Chico was appointed director of Comieco.
The foreign ministers of El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala, and the ministers of Comieco, except Costa Rica, accepted the resignation of Mayora de Gavidia as director of the Central American Economic Integration Department (SIEC).
The decision was made by the Council of Ministers of Economy of Central America, reversing the decision made by 4 regional Presidents to oust Mayora as head of the agency for economic integration.
Having adversely affected the interests of regional bureaucracies through the process of speeding up the integration procedures could have triggered the replacement of Yolanda Mayora.
Business associations and interested groups in the economic integration of Central America are reacting against Mayora´s dismissal, who had energized the regional economic integration process.
The cost of customs procedures adds up to 40% to the price of products traded between countries in the region.
The isthmus is the natural destination for the region’s export producers and a large part of the countries’ economic development depends on the 40 million people that inhabit Central America, forming a unified marketplace.
Report from SIECA shows an increase of $2,406 million in external trade for the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
After 18 months of instability and falling levels of trade, in the first quarter of 2010 external trade recorded an increase of $2,406 million, according to statistics from central banks, trade and economy ministers and statistics institutes of Central American countries.
Panama's Economic Cabinet is receiving technical assistance from Sieca for its incorporation in the regional system.
The announcement was made by Yolanda de Gavidia, Sieca Secretary, who explained they are also working with Panamanian authorities in commercial topics.
There is a formal document complaint about an alleged fraud in the well-advertised ethanol plant construction in El Salvador.
In February, media specializing in alternative fuels and finance published the news that Southridge Enterprises, a Dallas, Texas based company, was going to build an ethanol plant in El Salvador.
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