On May 6, 2025, the Official Gazette La Gaceta published the Regulation on Procedures for the Control, Verification, and Oversight of Tax Exemptions, issued by the Ministry of Finance through Agreement No. 143-2025. This new regulation strengthens the legal framework for supervising tax benefits in Honduras by detailing the procedures through which the General Directorate…
Author Archives: BLP
Blog, Costa Rica, News, Sanitary Registration of Products
Regulatory Updates in Health and Food Law Costa Rica – May 2025
08
May
May
Costa Rica leads regulatory changes on food additives and synthetic dyes As Pro Tempore President of the Council of Ministers for Economic Integration (COMIECO) during the first half of 2025, Costa Rica convened a meeting of the Central American Commission on Food Additives (CCAA) on March 18 to evaluate the removal of the synthetic dye…
Blog, Energy & Infrastructure, Guatemala, News
Investment Opportunity in Road Infrastructure: International Tender for the El Rancho–Teculután Expansion in Guatemala
02
May
May
Guatemala is preparing to launch an international public tender for the expansion of a key highway segment: the El Rancho–Teculután section of the CA-9 Corridor, with an investment value of US$175 million. This initiative presents a significant opportunity for construction, supervision, and infrastructure investment firms worldwide. The project consists of expanding 35 kilometers of the…
Blog, Energy & Infrastructure, Guatemala, News
PEG-5 and PET-3: Guatemala launches mega-projects and boosts its energy future
29
Apr
Apr
On 23 April 2025, the Guatemalan Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) and the National Electricity Commission (CNEE), officially announced the launch of tenders for (1) PEG-5 of EEGSA, DEOCSA, and DEORSA[1] and (2) PET-3 of the MEM, representing an important step in developing the country’s energy sector. PEG-5 The main objective of PEG-5 is…
Analysis, Blog, Business Law, Guatemala, Labor & Employment, Tax
Employee Stock Plans and Their Deductibility in Income Tax (ISR): Key Considerations
07
Apr
Apr
Author https://blplegal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Planes-de-Acciones-para-Empleados_FOTO-Elisa-Lacs.png Elisa Lacs Senior Associate Guatemala E-mail Employee stock plans, known as stock options or employee share ownership plans (ESOPs), are a strategic tool for attracting and retaining talent. However, their tax treatment in Guatemala raises questions about their deductibility under the Income Tax (ISR). A key issue is whether these plans can be…
01
Apr
Apr
Author https://blplegal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Articulo-Transacciones-de-Fusiones-y-Adquisiciones-MA_FOTO-Aurora-Solis.png Aurora Solís Senior Associate Costa Rica E-mail Smart contracts are self-executing agreements that automatically enforce the terms of specific arrangements between parties, such as buyers and sellers. These contracts are already being implemented across various commercial sectors, particularly in FinTech, through high-frequency trading, or in retail via online purchases with dynamic pricing. In…
Banking & Finance, Blog, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Guatemala, News
BLP Advised on the First Public, Sustainable, and Dematerialized Bond Issued by a Financial Institution in Guatemala
07
Mar
Mar
BLP has advised BID Invest, Proparco, and LAGreen (through Finance in Motion) on the issuance of the first sustainable and dematerialized bond by Banco de América Central, S.A. (BAC Guatemala) to promote financial inclusion and environmental sustainability in Guatemala. The bond, valued at up to US$140 million with a term of up to five years,…
Banking & Finance, Blog, Costa Rica, News
BLP Advised on the First Public, Sustainable, and Dematerialized Bond Issued by a Financial Institution in Guatemala
07
Mar
Mar
In a significant move within the financial sector, BLP provided comprehensive legal counsel to Banco Davivienda during the acquisition and integration of Scotiabank’s operations in Costa Rica. This transaction, encompassing banking, insurance, and leasing businesses, highlights BLP’s expertise in navigating complex mergers and acquisitions in the region. This agreement is part of Davivienda’s strategic expansion…
Blog, Costa Rica, Free Trade Zones, International Trade, News
New Customs Directive: Mandatory Validation for Trade Agreement Exemptions
05
Mar
Mar
On February 12, 2025, the General Directorate of Customs published Directive No. MH-DGA-DIR-0001-2025, issued on January 7, 2025, introducing key changes for customs procedures. This directive modifies the existing regulations by removing the last paragraph of Directive No. DIR-DGA-01-2021 and adding point vii), establishing a new requirement for the exemption of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)…
Banking & Finance, Blog, El Salvador, News, Regulatory Compliance, Prevention and Risk Management
Major Changes to El Salvador’s Bitcoin Law
27
Feb
Feb
On January 30, 2024, Legislative Decree No. 199 was published in the Official Gazette, introducing amendments to the Bitcoin Law (the “Reform”). The primary goal of the Reform is to enhance Bitcoin’s implementation in response to the people’s needs. The most significant amendments include: Legal Tender Status: References to Bitcoin as a legal tender have…