Author: Igra

In September 2019, the Republic of Panama approved Law 93 (“Law 93”) through which Public-Private Partnerships (“PPP”) are regulated. Recently, in December 2020, Executive Decree No. 840 was approved, through which Law 93 (“DE 840”) is implemented.

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Concept

PPP are a long-term public contractual modality (up to 30 years, renewable for up to 10 more years and up to 5 years if delays attributable to the Contracting Public Entity occur) (“PPP Contract”), whereby the Central Government, one or more autonomous and semi-autonomous entities of the Non-Financial Public Sector, municipalities or companies in which the State owns at least 51% (“Contracting Public Entity”), after a public bidding process, it may agree with private sector entities (“PPP Contractor”) the use of its knowledge, experience, equipment, technologies and financial capacity, as well as the sharing of risks and resources, for the design, construction, expansion, financing, exploitation, operation, maintenance, administration and/or supply of infrastructure, associated equipment or public services (“PPP Project”), included in the Five-Year Investment Plan or listed from time to time by the Cabinet Council, the amount of which may not be less than B/.15 million, except in the case of municipalities.

 

Modalities or Classes

PPPs may be Self-financed (if the costs are recovered by the PPP Contractor with the income received from the PPP Project) or Co-financed (if the PPP Project requires financial resources from the State so that it entails Firm or Contingent Commitments from the Contracting Public Entity).

The transfer of assets other than money or credits, the expenses and costs of acquisition or appropriation, payments made by users to the PPP Contractor are not considered State Financial Resources.

State Banks (i.e. BNP, Caja de Ahorros, and BDA) may only finance up to 15% of the PPP Project.

In Co-financed PPPs, the resources must be administered through a specific purpose trust in Panama, which must be created prior to the signing of the PPP Contract, with a duration equal to that of the PPP Contract and its renewals plus 1 additional year, in which the Contracting Public Entity may be a Settlor and/or Beneficiary, and the Trustee must (i) have a trust license granted by the SBP, (ii) be approved by the Regulatory Entity, through the PPP National Secretariat, and (iii) have a minimum experience of 5 years in infrastructure projects with a value of no less than B/. 15 million.

 

Projects included and excluded

Executive Decree 840 authorizes the use of PPPs for the development of transportation, logistics, energy, communications, irrigation, urban infrastructure, public buildings, social housing, infrastructure for recreational services, garbage collection and/or treatment, agricultural development, and administration and management of state-owned assets.

Government institutions such as IDAAN, ACP, CSS, BNP, Caja de Ahorros, ISA, SMV, SBP, public security services, medical health, public education, and extraction of metallic minerals are expressly excluded. Nevertheless, Executive Decree 840 provides that the provision of infrastructure and equipment, as well as the replacement, upkeep, and maintenance in such areas, may be subject to PPPs.

The Contracting Public Entity interested in developing a PPP Project must submit to the Regulatory Entity (made up of 5 State ministers and the Comptroller General), through the PPP National Secretariat, which shall be at the Ministry of the Presidency, for the approval of its application, the Technical Report, the Risk Allocation Matrix, Financial Scheme, Fiscal Impact, Financial Guarantees, the bidding list of charges and the draft PPP Contract.

The PPP National Secretariat must create a PPP Register in which the following must be viewed: all PPP Projects approved by the Regulatory Entity, the Technical Reports, the Bidding List of Charges for public bids, the members of the Assessment Commissions, the arbitration awards issued, the charters of incorporation of the SPVs which are PPP Contractors, the specific purpose trust contracts, the resolutions of the Contracting Public Entity establishing the rates and charges.

 

PPP Contractor Selection Process

Once a PPP Project has been approved by the Regulatory Entity, the Contracting Public Entity shall carry out its public bidding process for the selection of the PPP Contractor.

Both nationals and foreigners who have the legal capacity to contract with the State may participate in public bids, provided that they are not disqualified, that they comply with the principle of integrity (i.e. have not incurred in acts of corruption), and that they comply with that which is set forth in the corresponding bidding list of charges and the applicable legal provisions. The following are disqualified from participating in public bids for PPP Projects: (i) those who are in arrears in the payment of fines for breach of contracts with the State, (ii) those who participated in any way in the contractor selection process, (iii) those convicted in Panama, by means of final and binding judgment, to be disqualified to perform public offices or to contract with the State, (iv) those declared in a state of liquidation, (v) those who have incurred in falsehood in relation to the required information, (vi) those who are not legally organized, (vii) those who have had a contract administratively terminated for tortious or fraudulent breach of contract, (viii) natural persons who have been convicted in Panama by means of final and binding judgment, in the past 10 years, for crimes against the public administration, money laundering, against the economic order, against the public safety, against the economic patrimony and against the public faith, with sentences of 1 year or more.

Calls for public bidding shall be made through the electronic portal of the Regulatory Entity no less than 30 working days in advance. The information regarding the reference value and the technical assessment criteria shall be made public. The Bid Bond shall be established by the Contracting Public Entity together with the General Comptroller’s Office and shall not be determined according to the value of the economic offer; in any case, the amount shall appear in the respective bidding list of charges.

There may be instances prior to the bidding process itself, such as requests for expression of interest, pre-qualification processes, and access to data rooms.

In any case, on the day, time, and place set forth in the Bidding List of Charges, the bidders must submit their Proposals (which must contain their technical and economic proposal and the bid bond). Only those proposals which are not accompanied by the bid bond or which have submitted a bid bond for less than the required amount or validity shall be rejected outright. The remaining documents may be corrected within a period of 5 working days. The Technical and Economic Proposals (with the exception of the envelope containing the proposal on the variable of award offered) shall be opened and listed in Minutes, in order of presentation and with an indication of the values proposed. The assessment process shall comprise two stages: (i) one for compliance assessment of technical requirements; and (ii) another for assessment of economic proposals. The Technical Proposals, which have not been disqualified for not submitting all the requested information, shall be assessed on a compliant/non-compliant basis. The Economic Proposals, which have not been disqualified for not complying with the terms and conditions of the Bidding List of Charges, shall be assessed independently from the Technical Proposal, according to the objective criteria established in the Bidding Document (e.g., higher revenue for the Contracting Public Entity, shorter term for the PPP Contract, lower payment by the Contracting Public Entity), in both cases by majority decision of an Evaluation Committee formed prior to the receipt of proposals, by no less than 3 members who shall be professionals of recognized experience, who may be advised by other experts. The Evaluation Committee shall have 30 working days to submit its assessment report to the Contracting Public Entity. Correctable errors may be remedied within 5 working days. The Proposals may be rejected as onerous or risky if they exceed a percentage of the reference value established in the Bidding List of Charges. The Assessment Report shall be published in the electronic portal of the Regulatory Entity and the participants shall have 10 working days to make remarks, after which and within a period not exceeding 10 working days, the Contracting Public Entity shall proceed to make the award by means of a grounded resolution.

The Contracting Public Entity shall award the PPP Contract by means of a grounded resolution. In case of disqualification or if a proposal is deemed risky or onerous, the award may be made to the bidder with the next highest score. In the event that no bidder remains, the bidding process shall be declared vacant.

Those who consider themselves affected by the decisions may file the remedies provided for in the Public Procurement Law.

 

PPP Contracts, amendments, and termination

The PPP Contracts shall contain, without prejudice to the clauses that the parties may wish to include, the following:

1. Rights and obligations of the parties.
2. Risk allocation of the PPP Project.
3. Obligations assumed by the PPP Contractor in terms of infrastructure, equipment, and/or services.
4. Quality standards.
5. Advancement clause which allows the incorporation of new technologies.
6. Terms of payment of remuneration to the PPP Contractor.
7. Contingent Commitments, if any.
8. Contributions of the PPP Contractor to the Contracting Public Entity.
9. Contractual amendments procedure.
10. Conditions of a unilateral amendment or administrative redemption by the Contracting Public Entity.
11. Liquidation regime in case of early termination.
12. Requirements, information, and inspection of the PPP Project.
13. Compliance control mechanisms and applicable penalties.
14. Grounds for noncompliance and remedy periods.
15. Validity period.
16. Dispute resolution mechanism (e.g. direct negotiation, technical panel, arbitration).

The PPP Contract may also establish penalties for non-compliance, which could range from a written warning, monetary fines, up to termination of the contract, depending on the severity of the offense.

Since it is a public contract, it requires the countersignature of the General Comptroller’s Office and publication in the Official Gazette. In order to sign the PPP Contract, the PPP Contractor is required to provide the corresponding Performance Bond.

PPP Contracts may be amended by the Contracting Public Entity, prior consultation with the PPP National Secretariat and approval of the Regulatory Entity, for reasons of public interest, in which case the PPP Contractor must be financially compensated, either through payments by the Contracting Public Entity, payment by third parties, adjustment of the PPP Contract period, modification of tariffs or modification of the present value of the PPP Contract revenues. Amendments may also be made at the request of the PPP Contractor, at any time before ¾ of the duration of the PPP Contract has been fulfilled and provided that the Risk Allocation Matrix is not altered. In any case, the amendments may not require new investments in excess of 20%, nor may they in the aggregate exceed 40% of the estimated value of the investment. Any addendum to the PPP Contract must be assessed by the PPP National Secretariat, approved by the Regulatory Entity, countersigned by the General Comptroller’s Office, and published on the Regulatory Entity’s electronic portal.

PPP Contracts shall be terminated, prior declaration of the Contracting Public Entity by means of a grounded resolution, with the authorization of the Regulatory Entity, due to (i) force majeure or acts of God which permanently prevent its execution, (ii) expiration of the agreed term, (iii) mutual agreement, (iv) Gross Breach, (v) administrative redemption, (vi) any other provided for by law or in the PPP Contract. PPP Contractors whose PPP Contract is terminated for any Breach may not bid again for a PPP Project for a period of 10 years.

The following may not be subject to alternative dispute resolution methods: (i) non-contractual matters, (ii) administrative resolutions issued in relation to the PPP Contractor, (iii) those provided for in the PPP Contract.

 

Conditions Precedent to the execution of the PPP Contract

In order for the PPP Contractor to enter into the PPP Contract, which was awarded to it, it must have complied with the following minimum conditions: (i) to have constituted the SPV, (ii) to have constituted the trust, in case of Co-financed PPP, (iii) to have constituted the Performance Bond, (iv) to submit the templates of the required policy contracts, (v) to submit the affidavits and other documents required in the bidding list of charges.

 

PPP Contracting Party

The PPP Contract must be executed with a special purpose vehicle (“SPV”) incorporated under Panamanian law. The corporate purpose of this corporation must be limited to the activities foreseen in the PPP Contract, including related or ancillary activities; its validity must exceed the validity of the PPP Contract by 3 years and its corporate domicile must be in Panama. Modifications to the charter of incorporation require the authorization of the Contracting Public Entity.

The minimum capital required in the Bidding List of Charges must be paid at the time of its incorporation and maintained during the entire validity of the PPP Contract. At least 51% of such capital must be contributed by the successful bidder. In case there are other contributors (shareholders), the SPV must have two types of shares: (i) Controlling Shares Package (PAC), and (ii) Free Disposal Shares Package (PALD).

Restriction on Change of Control and Assignment of Rights under the PPP Contract

The transfer of PAC shares of the SPV, as well as the assignment of the rights of the PPP Contract shall require the prior approval of the Contracting Public Entity, the authorization of the Regulatory Entity, and, if any, of the pledgee. The PALD shares are freely transferable, provided that the Contracting Public Entity verifies that the new shareholders comply with the conditions set forth in the Bidding List of Charges.

 

Limitations on Ownership and Special Pledge of the assets and rights of the PPP Contracting Party

The assets and rights acquired by the SPV PPP Contractor for the purposes of the PPP Project may not be disposed of, mortgaged, or encumbered without the prior consent of the Contracting Public Entity, except to be transferred to a trust in the case of a Cofinanced PPP; and in any case, such assets and rights shall become public property upon termination of the PPP Contract.

The rights derived from the PPP Contract, including the revenues to be received by the PPP Contractor, may be subject to a Special Pledge (non-possessory), with the prior express authorization of the Contracting Public Entity, and the Regulatory Entity must approve the transfer to the pledgee or a qualified operator. The constitution of the Special Pledge shall prevent the PPP Contractor from assigning the PPP Contract, assigning the PAC Shares, making amendments to the PPP Contract, and/or early termination of the PPP Contract. The foreclosure of the Special Pledge shall entail the substitution of the PPP Contractor or the transfer of the PAC and the PALD shares, this last only if they were pledged.

 

Suspension of the PPP Contract for reasons of Force Majeure and Acts of God

The regulation establishes more detailed definitions than those offered by the Civil legislation as to what constitutes Acts of God and Force Majeure and allows in such cases to suspend the effects of the PPP Contract, prior declaration of the Contracting Public Entity with the opinion of the PPP National Secretariat.

 

Grounds for Termination of the PPP Contract

The regulations distinguish between causes attributable to the PPP Contractor (e.g. gross breach of obligations, insolvency, liquidation), grounds attributable to the Contracting Public Entity (e.g. gross breach, administrative redemption), and non-attributable grounds (e.g. expiration of the term, mutual agreement, impossibility of execution). The distinction between the grounds for termination is relevant for the purpose of establishing whether or not there are applicable economic effects (e.g. indemnities).

The PPP Contractor’s liability, in relation to the assets and rights transferred to the Contracting Public Entity upon termination of the PPP Contract, is extended to 1 year in relation to real property and 6 months in relation to personal property.

 

Administrative Intervention

PPP Contractors are subject to intervention by the Contracting Public Entity, with the prior authorization of the Regulatory Entity, in cases of Gross Breaches (as detailed in the PPP Contract, or in the Bidding List of Charges), after the expiration of the remedying periods and provided that the creditors have not opted to exercise the right of substitution and termination of the PPP Contract. Gross Breaches are defined as (i) gross and unjustified interruption in the provision of the service or abandonment of the works, (ii) gross breach by the PPP Contractor.

The appointed Receiver (who must be an economist, financier, accountant, engineer or other similar, with more than 10 years of experience), shall temporarily displace all the management bodies of the PPP Contractor, shall report to the Contracting Public Entity within 90 calendar days of his appointment, and in any case, the intervention shall last up to the maximum foreseen in the PPP Contract. Once the intervention has been completed, the Receiver may return the management and operation to the PPP Contractor, hand them over to a new contractor, or continue with the management and operation of the PPP Project.

 

Queries

For any additional questions please contact our Government Affairs Department attorneys:

 

Gabriel González-Ruiz

gabrielg@icazalaw.com

Luis Chalhoub

luisch@icazalaw.com

Alfredo Fonseca

alfredof@icazalaw.com

Adolfo González-Ruiz

adolfog@icazalaw.com

Resolution No. 636 of January 27, 2021

 

Through Resolution 636 of January 27, 2021, Panama’s National Immigration Service extends the validity of residence permits issued to foreigners, which expired on March 13, 2020, to June 30, 2021. Any expired permit or stay during this period will not generate fines due to expiration.

 

The processes include:

• Provisional permit cards
• Non-resident visas
• Judicial Stay Cards
• Immigration Regularization Cards
• Tourist stays

 

Birth and marriage certificates previously issued until June 30, 2021, and that have expired during the period from March 13, 2020, to January 31, 2021, will be recognized as valid.

 

For more information or assistance on immigration matters

New Requirements for Seychelles IBCs

 

The Beneficial Ownership Act, 2020 is a new piece of legislation that came into force on 28th August 2020 along with the Beneficial Ownership Regulations. The Act and Regulations impose new requirements on Seychelles IBCs, which should be complied with by 31st January 2021:

 

A.  A new format for the Register of Beneficial Owner (RBO)

Seychelles IBCs are required to maintain an RBO at the office of its Registered Agent in Seychelles. The Beneficial Ownership Regulations include a new format of RBO that replaces the previous format required under the IBC Act.

 

The RBO must contain the following information in respect of every beneficial owner of such legal person or legal arrangement:

1. The name, residential address, service address, date of birth and nationality of beneficial owner;
2. Details of each beneficial owner’s beneficial interest, as may be prescribed by regulations;
3. The date on which a person became a beneficial owner;
4. The date on which a person ceased to be a beneficial owner;
5. Where a nominee holds interest on behalf of the beneficial owner-
   • The name, residential address, service address, date of birth and nationality of each nominee holding the interest on behalf of the beneficial owner and the particulars and details of the interest held by the nominee; and
   • The identity of the nominator, and where the nominator is a legal person, the identity of the natural person who ultimately own or controls the nominator.

 

B.  The Register of Beneficial Owner to be filed with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)

A copy of the Register of Beneficial Owner should be submitted to the FIU, and the information will be kept confidential and not publicly accessible. The persons entitled to inspect the RBO are the company’s director, member, or a person whose name is in the RBO (limited to the inspection of the person’s name in the RBO).

 

A company who fails to maintain a Register of Beneficial Owners under section 5(1) of the BO Act or to maintain accurate and up to date information under section 5(2) of the BO Act commits an offence and is liable to a penalty not exceeding SCR50,000 (USD2,500 approx.) for each such failure (section 5(3) of the BO Act). In case of contravention of section 5(1) or 5(2) of the BO Act, in addition to the penalty upon the company, every director commits an offence, and shall also be liable to a penalty not exceeding SCR50,000 (USD2,500 approx.) for each contravention (section 5(4) of the BO Act).

 

Should you have any questions about this law, please do not hesitate to contact us at seychelles@icazalaw.com.

Recent Transaction

 

Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán acted as local legal counsel to AES Panama S.R.L and AES Changuinola S.R.L. in the acquisition of UEP Penonome I, S.R.L. a Panamanian company that built and operated the first wind electrical generation facility (Wind Farm) and related assets located in Penonome, Cocle, Republic of Panama consisting of 22 Goldwind wind turbines providing a total of 55MW of renewable energy to the National Interconnected Grid.

 

As local legal counsel to the purchasers, the firm conducted legal due diligence on the corporate, regulatory and environmental structure and history of the company and the project; drafted complex local law documents; and provided legal advice and support during and after the closing. The transaction faced significant challenges since, in addition to the complexities of a transaction of this nature, it was completed during strict lockdown measures imposed due to COVID-19 and involved multiple jurisdictions in North America, Asia and Panama.

 

The team in charge of this transaction was composed by Gabriel González-Ruiz, Alfredo Fonseca and Magdalena Arias.

Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán is pleased to announce that our partner Gabriela Tejada de Britton was included in the World Trademark Review (WTR) Global Leaders 2020 edition, which identifies the best of the best in trademark practice.

 

Head of the IP Division of the firm, Gabriela handles and provides expert counseling for the trademark portfolio of local and multinational companies in a wide range of sectors which include, among others, beauty and personal care, pharmaceutical, automobile, retail, luxury goods, food and beverages, finance and entertainment.

 

Counseling includes trademark and copyright licensing, franchising, trademark enforcement, trademark and patent prosecution, opposition and cancellation proceedings.

 

About WTR Global Leaders

WTR Global Leaders is an important publication that gathers the world’s top law firm and corporate trademark experts drawing on research from the WTR 1000 and WTR 300.

To be included in WTR Global Leaders, individuals must be ranked in the gold tier of the WTR 1000, which is a research directory focused exclusively on trademark practices and practitioners, that identifies the leading players in 80 key jurisdictions globally.

SPECIAL SYSTEM FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES FOR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES RELATED TO MANUFACTURING

(EMMA, FOR ITS ACRONYM IN SPANISH)

Law 159 of August 31st, 2020

The government of the Republic of Panama has enacted Law 159 of August 31^st, 2020 whereby the Special System for the Establishment and Operation of Multinational Companies for the Provision of Services Related to Manufacturing is created (hereinafter “EMMA” or “EMMA License”). This law was published in the Official Gazette No. 29103-A dated September 1^st, 2020, and the same was created with the purpose of attracting and promoting investments in production processes, generating jobs and the transfer of technology, as well as to position the Republic of Panama in a competitive market within the global economy.

 

What is EMMA?

It is a license issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industries for Multinational Companies, whether foreign or national, that from Panama carry out operations aimed at offering the services defined in the law and that we mention below, to their parent company or their subsidiaries or their affiliates or to companies associated to such entities of the same group.

 

This law shall only be applicable in the Panamanian territory to operations of Multinational Companies for the provision of services related to manufacturing. The EMMA License shall be granted indefinitely.

 

Services that can be provided by Multinational Companies under EMMA License:

1. Services related to the manufacture of products, machinery, and equipment, rendered to companies of the business group.
2. Services related to the assembly of products, machinery, and equipment, rendered to companies of the business group.
3. Services related to the maintenance and repair of products, machinery, and equipment rendered to companies of the business group.
4. Services related to the remanufacture of products, machinery and equipment rendered to companies of the business group.
5. Services related to the refurbishment of products rendered to companies of the business group.
6. Services related to product development, research or innovation of existing products or processes rendered to the business group.
7. Services related to analysis, laboratory, testing, or other services associated with manufacturing, rendered to companies of the business group.
8. Services related to logistics such as storage, deployment and distribution center of components or parts, required for the rendering of services associated with manufacturing.
9. Any other similar service previously approved by the Cabinet Council by means of a grounded resolution, provided that it complies with the principles set forth in this law.

 

Requirements that companies must comply with in order to obtain an EMMA license:

1. The assets of the multinational company.
2. The places or the affiliated companies, parent company or operating subsidiaries of the multinational companies.
3. The commercial or industrial activities or operations carried out by the company.
4. The listing of shares on the stock exchange or internationally.
5. The minimum number of full-time employees and the annual operating expenses of the multinational company in the Republic of Panama. In both cases they must be appropriate to the nature of the business carried out by the companies.
6. Any other element or information that the Commission deems appropriate to establish and assess as a relevant and necessary requirement, to promote an adequate use of the system.

 

Obligations of companies with an EMMA license:

1. To submit to the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Companies Licensing Commission an annual report containing the statistics concerning their operations within the national territory.
2. The obligation, if any, to immediately inform to the Technical Secretariat of the Multinational Companies Licensing Commission of any change in the status of their operations in the country and of its legal personality.
3. To render services related to manufacturing only to the Business Group to which it belongs, in accordance with the activities allowed by the law.
4. To operate in the Republic of Panama as a foreign company registered in Panama or as a Panamanian company owned by the multinational company, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates.

It is important to mention that a company that directly renders services to clients or to companies which are different or unrelated to its Business Group shall not be considered as a company with an EMMA license.

 

Additional activities of EMMA companies

If a company with an EMMA license wishes to carry out additional activities in the Republic of Panama under the Multinational Companies System (Law 41 of 2007), it may request an authorization from the Technical Secretariat. The Technical Secretariat must take into account all the documentation and information already in the files of the multinational companies for the rendering of services related to manufacturing, to ensure an expedited authorization process.

Since these are different systems, separate accounting must be kept, in addition to the material requirements applicable to them.

 

BENEFITS:

When applying under one of the above-mentioned services, the company with an EMMA license shall be able to enjoy a series of tax, immigration, and labor incentives.

 

I.            Tax:

Companies which obtain an EMMA license shall automatically enjoy the guarantees established in article 10 of Law 54 of 1998 on the Legal Stability of Investments. In other words, the duties and taxes established at the time of the issuance of their license are maintained for 10 years.

• Companies holding an EMMA License must pay income tax in the Republic of Panama on net taxable income derived from services rendered at a rate of 5%. They must liquidate and pay the income tax by means of the annual income tax return, and they may include within their deductible expenses the expenses incurred for labor remuneration of all their employees, which shall proceed even if the employee receiving the salary is exempted from income tax.

• They may also apply as an income tax credit, the amount actually paid for this concept or similar abroad, with respect to the taxable income generated in the Republic of Panama derived from the rendering of services to non-residents, as well as the amounts withheld by taxpayers in the Republic of Panama. When applying this credit, the company must pay, as a minimum 2% of the net taxable income generated in the Republic of Panama.

• Legal or natural persons which carry out transactions with related parties that are EMMA companies shall be subject to the Transfer Pricing system in accordance with the provisions of the Tax Code.

• Since these are export services, they shall not cause Transfer of Movable Personal Property and the Rendering of Services Tax (ITBMS), as long as they are rendered to persons who do not generate taxable income within the Republic of Panama.

• Exemption from the payment of dividends, supplementary tax, and tax on branches, regardless of whether they are local, foreign, or exempted.

• They are not subject to the use of fiscal equipment; however, they are under the obligation to document their activities through invoices or equivalent documents which enable the due control, recording, accounting and auditing of the performed transactions by the General Directorate of Revenues.

• They shall not be required to obtain a Notice of Operation for the provision of the services set forth in the EMMA Law.

• They are exempted from all taxes, encumbrances, duties, or import fees on all types or classes of merchandise, products, equipment and other goods in general including, but not limited to, machinery, materials, packaging, raw materials, consumables, supplies and spare parts which are used or required for the performance of manufacturing-related services.

These may not be sold, leased, pledged, or auctioned off without payment of the corresponding taxes, fees, and duties.

• The products manufactured, processed, assembled or remanufactured by the company established in a special economic area in the national territory, free zone, duty-free zone or an area of control and customs surveillance may be entered into the national tax territory by a company of the Business Group paying the respective tariffs or customs taxes, only on the value of the raw materials, and foreign components incorporated in the product, based on the tariff corresponding to each raw material or component incorporated in the final product.

 

Tax incentives for Personnel holding a Permanent or Temporary Visa under EMMA:

• Exemption from income tax, social security and education insurance contributions, salaries, and other labor remunerations, to the extent that the salaries and remunerations are paid, assumed, and acknowledged as personnel expenses in the company’s accounting.

• Exemption from the payment of taxes that could be applied to household goods due to imports when the employee moves to the Republic of Panama for the first time. In addition, you may apply to the National Customs Authority for a total duty-free allowance once every two years for the import of a motor vehicle for personal or family use.

 

II.           Immigration:

The EMMA Law creates new visas specifically for foreign employees who are hired. The types of visas are as follows:

 

• Multinational Companies Temporary Personnel Visa for the Rendering of Services Related to Manufacturing:

These visas shall be granted to the foreigner who renders services, at an operational or training level, to the Multinational Company, for a two-year renewable period.

It is also granted to dependents and in no case may it exceed the validity granted to the Multinational Companies Temporary Operating Personnel Visa.

Once the Temporary Personnel Visa is granted, a work permit shall be issued in a single formality which grants the right to work in the Republic of Panama, whilst working in the Multinational Company with an EMMA License.

 

• Multinational Companies Permanent Personnel Visa:

These visas shall be granted to foreign personnel whilst working within the multinational company with an EMMA license. They shall be valid for up to 5 years, and may be extended for an equal period, except in those cases where the employment contract establishes a shorter period.

It is also granted to the dependents and in no case, it shall be longer than the validity granted to the Permanent Staff Visa that covers the application.

The holders of this visa shall not be required to carry out any additional formalities or to obtain any permit from any other state entity to work or live in the Republic of Panama.

 

• Permanent Residence for Multinational Companies Personnel:

Foreign personnel who have worked for any Multinational Company under the EMMA Law, may, after a period of 5 years had elapsed from the approval of the first EMMA Permanent Personnel Visa, opt for a Permanent Residence.

The foreigner who obtains Permanent Residence shall be subject to the payment of income tax and social security and educational insurance contributions, as applicable.

 

III.          Labor:

Labor aspects for the personnel hired with an EMMA license:

• The company covered by an EMMA License shall be able to hire foreign employees in a position of trust to hold managerial jobs at high and medium levels, as well as temporary personnel, required for its operation.

• Any foreign person who has the status of a dependent of a foreign employee under a Visa or a Residence Permit may work in the Republic of Panama, provided that he or she meets the necessary conditions to apply for a work permit.

• Dependents who obtain a work permit and work in the Republic of Panama shall be subject to income tax and social security and educational insurance contributions for the salaries and other remunerations received.

• Whoever holds a Permanent Personnel Visa or a Temporary Personnel Visa under EMMA may not engage in work activities other than those performed in the multinational company.

• Any employee who has a permanent or temporary EMMA company personnel visa shall be subject to the rules of the Labor Code, except for those exceptions provided for in this law.

• Companies may sign labor contracts in any manner established by the Labor Code with foreign employees under the terms of this law.
• Companies covered by an EMMA License must ensure the exchange of knowledge and training of Panamanians who wish to apply for jobs in these multinational companies.

 

License Cancellation and Tax Effects:

The company which carries out in the national territory activities different from those authorized by law shall have its license cancelled and shall be responsible for the unpaid taxes, with the fines, surcharges, interests, and penalties according to the Fiscal Code.

Employees who enter Panama under the protection of the law without actually working in the multinational company shall be sanctioned with a fine of up to five thousand dollars (US$5,000.00).

The company that does not make the communications which are established as obligations of the law or that do not comply with the other provisions may be sanctioned with a fine of up to one hundred thousand balboas ($100,000.00).

 

Establishment and Legal Stability:

The companies shall automatically enjoy, as of the time of their registration, the guarantees in matters of legal stability of the investments. That is to say, from the granting of the License they shall enjoy for 10 years the fiscal, labor, immigration, and legal benefits.

 

Law 159 of August 31^st, 2020 shall enter into force on December 1^st, 2020

Mariela de la Guardia Oteiza

marielag@icazalaw.com

Adolfo González-Ruiz

adolfog@icazalaw.com

Tender for new water management system at the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal Administration published on September 7, 2020, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the engineering, procurement, and construction of a water management system that will guarantee an adequate water supply for Canal operations and local consumption the next 50 years.

The Administration of the Panama Canal (ACP) said that with the publication of RFQ, the process for the development of the “optimized water resource management system begins, which considers a portfolio of projects to strengthen and modernize the current system and guarantee the water supply. “

Interested parties must submit, no later than November 12, financial and technical information, along with the history of successful project execution, which will be evaluated by the Panama Canal to choose the prequalified firms before the end of this year.

While investment figures for the water management project were not provided, a report from Moody’s released last July indicated that the investments required to “address the scarcity” of the water resources “are estimated to be between US$1 and US$1.5 billion.”

Alexis Herrera Jr.

alexishjr@icazalaw.com

Adolfo González-Ruiz

adolfog@icazalaw.com

The Chambers High Net Worth 2020 guide has recognized our partner Roberto Alemán as a leading High Net Worth professional in Panama, while highlighting Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán as a Band 1 firm in Private Wealth Law. 

 

Chambers’ comments on the firm and Mr. Alemán were the following:

Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán has a respected private client department. The team assists high net worth individuals and families on matters including succession planning and corporate organisation of family businesses.

Roberto Alemán is a “seasoned lawyer” who regularly advises clients on estate planning matters. He has particular expertise on offshore matters.

 

We congratulate Mr. Aleman and his team for this recognition.

 

About Chambers High Net Worth

Chambers High Net Worth analyzes and ranks the performance of the top lawyers and law firms for international private wealth. The guide, which is used by family offices and professional advisers to wealthy individuals, also recommends leading accountancy firms, private banks, wealth managers, trust companies, and other professional advisers to HNW and UHNW clients around the world.

The Chambers Latin America 2021 guide has, once again, highlighted Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán by ranking the firm in five practice areas for the Panama chapter and recommending our attorneys as leaders in their fields. The areas of practice in which the firm was ranked are:

• Banking and Finance
• Corporate/M&A
• Dispute Resolution
• Intellectual Property
• Projects & Energy

Our lawyers ranked in the guide are:

• Gabriel González-Ruiz – Banking and Finance – Capital Markets – Corporate / M&A and Projects & Energy
• Marisol Ellis – Dispute Resolution 
• Gabriela Tejada de Britton – Intellectual Property
• Alexis V. Herrera Jr. – Shipping: Litigation

Chambers and Partners is a prestigious legal service guide, that identifies and ranks the most prominent law firms and lawyers in more than 180 jurisdictions around the world.