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Diversification and added value are the next level that Panamanian exports must reach, according to Víctor Pérez III, who yesterday took over the reins of the Panamanian Exporters Association (APEX), replacing Roberto Tribaldos, who had been at the helm of the guild since 2020. Last year, Panama's total exports, excluding shipments from free trade zones, reached US$3.558 billion, surpassing the US$3 billion mark for the first time in history.

The Commission of Labor, Health and Social Development of the National Assembly, presided by Deputy Daniel Ramos, approved Bill 210, which transfers the mandatory day of rest for Shrove Tuesday 2022, to the previous Monday. The initiative has the purpose of supporting the economy of our country and would only be valid for this year 2022, in which carnivals have been suspended, informed in its Twitter account the National Assembly.

Free trade zones reported historic growth in 2021, overcoming the barriers brought about by the coronavirus respiratory pandemic (Covid-19). This sector, which for years was catalogued by some of its detractors as a fiscal sacrifice, reported exports for $1.2 billion last year, according to private sector estimates.

Even when the justice system is governed under the rules of the accusatory criminal system, theoretically more agile, and despite the fact that the delay has decreased since 2019, the backlog in the processing of files continues to be one of the main problems of the system, according to experts in the field. In fact, at least 66 thousand 144 files are pending, and it is the civil jurisdiction in which there is more backlog, with 32 thousand 681 cases

At a time when the tentacles of narco-politics are generating noise in the powers of the State and the profiles of organized crime groups are diversifying, the first step was finally taken for the discussion of bill 625, which establishes the figure of the extinction of ownership. Ten months after the Minister of Security, Juan Pino, brought the bill to the National Assembly, the Government Commission dusted off the document and created a subcommittee to analyze it. However, the person appointed to chair this subcommittee, Deputy Roberto Abrego, was not present yesterday at the session.

The National Bar Association (CNA) presented a legislative initiative, in the office of citizen participation, which seeks to repeal the inclusion of professional sectors in Law 256, which dictates the mandatory issuance of electronic invoices. The citizens' initiative seeks to eliminate from the law, which came into force in January 2022, that which refers to the liberal professional sectors: artisans, artists and those who practice a trade, being obliged to issue electronic invoices.

A bill proposing severe sanctions for drivers without vehicle insurance was presented before the National Assembly of Deputies. The initiative proposes from the suspension of the license to the retention of the vehicle for those drivers involved in traffic accidents and who do not have a valid insurance policy, was presented by the deputy of the Partido Revolucionario Democrático (PRD), Leandro Ávila.

The National Assembly informed that it resumes this Wednesday, February 2, the discussion of bill 675 which adopts the legislation for the extinction of ownership of illicit goods. The bill rests in the first organ of the State, since its presentation in the Plenary, at the end of April 2021, by the Minister of Public Security, Juan Pino. The initiative seeks to establish a legal framework that allows the State to recover illicitly acquired assets, strengthening the mechanisms for the administration of justice. In addition, to prevent money laundering, tax evasion, organized crime and crime.

The Latin American Stock Exchange (Latinex) closed 2021 with record trading volume and number of transactions. The market traded $9,461 million, a figure that represents an increase of $1,335 million over 2020, and leaves behind the previous historical record of $8,527.4 million, achieved in 2019.