Central American Parliament could promote laws that are valid regionallyFriday, August 29, 2008 Parlacen will have new powers to push through the process of economic integration on the isthmus. According to Julio Gonzalez, president of forum, Parlacen could promote laws that are valid regionally while previously it was limited to recommending changes in the laws of member countries. Walmex Concludes Purchase of Walmart Central AmericaWednesday, February 17, 2010 Walmart México (Walmex) concluded the purchase of Walmart Central America with a $110 million cash payment. Walmex also issued 603.9 million shares, which were traded to the former owners of Walmart Central America, who now become Walmex shareholders. Mexico aims to unify trade accords with Central AmericaTuesday, July 1, 2008 Mexico aims to unify its three existing trade accords with Central America, Eduardo Sojo, the Mexican economy minister, announced. Mexico has long-standing free trade accords with Nicaragua and Costa Rica, as well as a third – with Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador – that dates from 2001. Successful Closure of Central America Travel MarketTuesday, October 13, 2009 The fair's sixth edition came to an end in El Salvador, with the participation of over 140 international tour-operators and 168 Central American tourism companies. José Napoleón Duarte, Salvadoran Tourism Minister, remarked: "We are very satisfied. Specifically, we have received 800 regional appointments". Suez Energy to invest US$650 million in PanamaThursday, June 26, 2008 Suez Energy aims to invest US$650 million in various power-generation projects that should come on stream by 2010. The projects includes the conversion to coal of the Bahía Las Minas thermal plant, and construction of a 25-megawatt hydroelectric scheme at Gualaca, Chiriquí. Walmart Seeks Suppliers from among SMEsWednesday, April 18, 2012 The retail giant has selected 12 regional SMEs manufacturing innovative products at reasonable prices, who will have the opportunity to offer their products in stores belonging to the chain. About 12 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Central America were chosen within the program of corporate social responsibility " Una mano para crecer”(Give a hand in order to grow) to be suppliers of Walmart stores in Central America and Mexico, and the stores of the Despensa de don Juan, Maxi-Despensas and Despensa Familiar. Latin American leaders urge regional tradeWednesday, April 16, 2008 Latin American leaders vowed to boost trade and investment in the region to withstand a sharp economic downturn in the United States. «We have to learn to turn on our own motors,» Mexican President Felipe Calderon told the closing session of the two-day World Economic Forum on Latin America in Cancun. The presidents of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica, and the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, also attended the two-day forum _ a spin-off of the yearly meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Walmart Opens New Store in GuatemalaThursday, September 23, 2010 Located in Zone 17 of the capital, the chain has opened the Paiz Santa Amelia superstore, its 30th in the country. The opening of the Wal-Mart store directly created 78 new jobs as well as 97 indirect positions. New Walmart Stores in Costa RicaFriday, April 1, 2011 The multinational retail chain is in the process of opening two new outlets in Costa Rica for this year. These are in the Palí format and are located at Cristo Rey and San Rafael de Montes de Oca. Scotiabank and BAC close Costa Rican offshore operationsThursday, April 17, 2008 Two Costa Rica banks – the local unit of Canada's Scotiabank and BAC San José – announced the closure of offshore accounts. Representatives of both banks made the announcement after the Costa Rican government sent its Congress a bill to impose new regulations on offshore accounts. The Incorporation of Panama into SICAWednesday, February 6, 2013 The Cabinet Council has approved Panama joining the Economic Integration Subsystem of the Central American Integration System. From the press release issued by the Presidency of Panama: Brazil joins SICA as observerWednesday, October 8, 2008 This move seeks to intensify the relationship between Brazil and Central America, especially regarding trade and commerce. With this move, Brazil will be able to participate int he ministerial and presidential meetings of the Integration System and will have to right to participate but not vote, according to the agreement signed at the first meeting of the political consultation mechanism between Brazil and the Central American organization. Central America to have talks with Europe on subsidiesMonday, April 28, 2008 Central American trade and economy ministers will meet with the European trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson, on May 15 in Peru, for talks on progress toward a trade association. One of the main items on the agenda will be the subsidies that Europe grants to its farmers. EU announces $19 million for Central AmericaFriday, January 23, 2009 The European Union has announced this aid to help with the integration of the region ahead of the next round of negotiations for reaching an agreement of association. Prensa.com reports: "With this aid package, the community Executive wants to contribute to the consolidation of the regional institutions in Central America and the participation of the social organizations in the process, the EC indicated in a release." Central America to make new offer to the EUMonday, December 1, 2008 The countries of Central America already made an offer of 90% of the tariff items that they will allow the European Union. According to the Guatemalan vice minister of Foreign Trade, Ruben Morales, the negotiating teams from the region agreed to the 90% of the items as required by the EU at a private meeting that was held for one week in Guatemala. |
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