Honduras Cancels Controversial Tourist FeeMonday, January 16, 2012 President Lobo has vetoed a $34 fee for nationals and tourists that was firmly opposed by the tourism industry. The president of Honduras, Porfirio Lobo, recently announced that the controversial "immigration whack" of $34 that was going to be charged to domestic and foreign travelers entering and leaving the country, has been vetoed. Guatemala: New $15 Fee at AirportsMonday, February 3, 2014 The new tax will be used to fund the security and immigration systems but has already been opposed by tourism operators. The Ministry of Interior announced that as of February 12 a $15 fee will be charged for entering or exiting Guatemala by air. Bruno Mertins, general manager of the travel agency Turansa believes that "the measure not only make ticket prices to and from Guatemala far more expensive, but it also makes the sector less competitive." Burgeoning Cinema Business in PanamaWednesday, August 23, 2017 In the country there are 19 cinema complexes with 142 projection rooms, a figure surpassed in the region by Guatemala and Costa Rica alone, where there are 149 and 144 rooms, respectively. The number of audiovisual projection rooms or screens could reach 150 at the end of the year, when the new branch of Cinépolis in Costa del Este will be inaugurated. Costa Rica: Free Zones to Keep ExemptionsThursday, May 28, 2015 The Constitutional Court has rejected an appeal that sought to eliminate from the free zone law exemptions from municipal taxes. From a statement issued by the Constitutional Chamber of Costa Rica: Movements in Cinema Market in Costa RicaThursday, August 7, 2014 The Costa Rican chain CitiCinemas has acquired ten theaters from its competitor CCM Cinemas and says it will invest $3.5 million in renovations. With the transfer of the operation of 10 cinemas to the company CitiCinemas "... the Local cinema industry is more competitive than ever. CCM Cinemas is now tied, in terms of the number of screens, with the Mexican company Cinepolis (29), CitiCinemas ranks second (17), Cinemark is in third place (16) and Nova Cinemas in the fourth with 7." Gambling Company Operating in Panama Files for BankruptcyTuesday, January 7, 2014 The Spanish based company operates in Panama 11 casinos, 6 sports betting centers, and the President Remon Racetrack. Codere, the second largest bookmaker in Panama is facing serious financial problems which has prevented it from repaying its debts. Regulation on Price per Unit in EffectTuesday, September 13, 2011 Costa Rican merchants must include in their displays the price per unit of their products. They must inform the consumer of the price per gram, milliliter or centimeters of various food products, and personal care or hygiene products. Costa Rica: $ 5.4 Million for Operating RoomsFriday, March 25, 2011 The expenditure was approved due to the current critical state of operating rooms at San Juan de Dios Hospital. Nacion.com reported, "Given the state of emergency due to the precarious condition of the rooms, the Comptroller General of the Republic authorized the Social Security Fund to remodel the 15 operating rooms at San Juan de Dios Hospital." Tourism developments in protected areas canceledThursday, November 20, 2008 The development of properties in protected areas for ecotourism development was canceled after a resolution from the Constitutional Court. "The claims of accumulated unconstitutionality are declared to be admissible, and as a result, the Executive Order No. 31750-MINAE-TUR of March 30, 2004 is canceled. This ruling is declaratory and retroactive to the date of said order, without affecting the rights acquired in good faith and the consolidated legal situations," said resolution 2008-16975. Costa Rica's insurance market opening upTuesday, June 24, 2008 A bill to change the regulatory environment of the insurance industry in Costa Rica appears to have the 38 votes needed to pass second reading. There appears to be no serious opposition to the Regulatory Law of the Insurance Market, and it looks as though it will have smooth sailing in Congress. International IMPA Conference Panama 2014Wednesday, May 8, 2013 From 7 to April 11, 2014, national and international workshops will be held at the XXII International Congress of the International Maritime Pilots Association. Rainiero Salas, president of the Association of Panama Canal Pilots (APCP), said almost 10 years ago efforts were first made to bring this conference to Panama. Industrial Food Fair in GuatemalaMonday, August 15, 2016 From September 5 to 7 products will be exhibited and meetings held in Guatemala City by representatives of food companies, restaurants and other entities linked to the sector. The event is being organized by the Union of Restaurants in Guatemala and will be held at the Grand Tikal Futura Hotel in Guatemala City. Incentives Boost Film IndustryWednesday, September 25, 2013 In 2013 $23 million has been invested in foreign productions in Panama, considerably more than the average of between $2 and $3 million in previous years. The increase was reported by the Director General of the Panamanian Film Industry, Arianne Benedetti. International Handicrafts FairFriday, January 5, 2018 On September 19th and 20th, 2017 in Antigua, Guatemala, business appointments will be held between international buyers and handicraft companies from Central America. In the eleventh edition of the New World Crafts Fair, around a thousand products from craft companies from Central America will be exhibited, and several rounds of business appointments will be held with some 100 international buyers. Costa Rica: Corporation Tax RevivedMonday, March 6, 2017 The Constitutional Chamber has granted approval for the Assembly to adopt, in full, the bill proposing a tax on legal persons which was approved in a first debate in January this year. The judges of the Constitutional Court found no flaws in the text of the law, giving endorsement to the Legislative Assembly so that it can approve it on a second reading and pass it into law. |
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