PANAMA

On November 10, the President of the Nation, Laurentino Cortizo, met with the National Chamber of Transportation (Canatra in Spanish) where a permanent table was installed with the sector to establish a channel of dialogue on different problems that afflict the area. On the occasion, the Executive Branch promised to present a bill to regulate taxes on the operation and use of digital services, especially in the area of transportation.

The President’s Office explained that the initiative “would reach platforms dedicated to the intermediation of transportation services”. However, it is not ruled out that the bill could reach other types of digital platforms. Its effective scope will depend on the text to be submitted by the Executive Branch, which is expected to happen in the next few months.

In line with the above, during the meeting the government expressed the need to establish taxes on digital commerce, although once again it placed special emphasis on transport applications. The possibility of establishing regulations by decree was also raised, pending the approval of a law in this regard in the Assembly.