Summary.
The bill proposes financing programs, incentives, and technical assistance to strengthen the activities and competitiveness of tourism microentrepreneurs in Panama. Those meeting requirements set by the Panama Tourism Authority (Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá, ATP) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (Ministerio de Comercio e Industrias, MICI) could receive its benefits. It defines tourism microentrepreneurs as individuals or legal entities operating in the tourism sector whose annual sales do not exceed the amount established for that category under the regulations in force.
To provide financial support, the bill creates the Tourism Support Fund. The Panama Tourism Authority would administer it in coordination with MICI and the Authority for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Autoridad de la Micro, Pequeña y Mediana Empresa, AMPYME). The available forms of support include soft loans at preferential interest rates and partial subsidies for purchasing supplies and equipment. The bill also provides for ATP instructors to deliver training and technical assistance aimed at improving business management and promotion. It adds tax incentives for the payment of municipal and national taxes.
Applicants for economic support would have to submit a formal application to ATP. They would have to attach their commercial registration and operating license, evidence of activity in the tourism sector, and a plan for using the requested funds. The bill also requires compliance with environmental and tourism safety regulations. ATP and the competent entities would supervise the use of the resources awarded and conduct periodic evaluations to measure the effect of the economic support on the sector.
The bill requires ATP and the competent entities to create new tourism routes every year, extending tourism activity throughout the national territory and encompassing its various forms. It provides that the law would take effect upon its promulgation in the Official Gazette; another final provision reiterates that it would take effect upon promulgation. It also directs the Executive Branch to issue implementing regulations within no more than six months from publication.
The proposal concerns the functions of the Panama Tourism Authority, ATP, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, MICI, the Authority for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and AMPYME, together with entities responsible for tourism routes and oversight. It could be of interest to or affect individuals and legal entities operating tourism microenterprises, suppliers of materials and equipment, providers of training and technical assistance, and administrations responsible for municipal and national taxes.
What it proposes.
- Economic support for tourism microentrepreneurs.
- Financing, subsidies, training, and tax incentives.
- Applications, oversight, and evaluation of resources.
- Annual creation of tourism routes.
Who it would affect.
- Individuals or legal entities operating microenterprises in the tourism sector.
- The Panama Tourism Authority and other competent public entities.
- Administrations responsible for municipal and national taxes.
Key points.
- The bill establishes economic support through financing, incentives, and technical assistance for tourism microentrepreneurs in Panama.Art. 1
- Those meeting ATP and MICI requirements could receive benefits; the category covers tourism operators whose annual sales do not exceed the amount set by the regulations in force.Arts. 2-3
- It creates the Tourism Support Fund, administered by ATP in coordination with MICI and AMPYME.Art. 4
- It provides for preferential loans, partial subsidies for supplies and equipment, instructors for training and technical assistance, and municipal and national tax incentives.Art. 5
- It requires an application to ATP with commercial and operating documents, evidence of tourism activity, a plan for using the funds, and compliance with environmental and tourism safety rules.Art. 6
- ATP and the competent entities would supervise the resources and periodically evaluate the effect of the economic support.Art. 7
- It requires ATP and the competent entities to create new tourism routes every year throughout the national territory.Art. 8
- It provides for entry into force upon promulgation and directs the Executive Branch to issue implementing regulations within no more than six months from publication.Arts. 9-11