December 2011 Archives

Estimados socios:

Tenemos a bien comunicarles que del 21 de diciembre del 2011 al 2 de enero del 2012, la Cámara hará un alto a sus actividades ya que nos encontraremos gozando de vacaciones anuales, lo que nos permitirá recargar energías para emprender un nuevo año con mejores servicios para ustedes, nuestros socios. Retomaremos nuestras actividades normales el 3 de enero.

Aprovechamos la ocasión para enviarles un muy afectuoso saludo navideño, así como los mejores deseos para el 2012.

U.S. Chamber's International Policy Update (December 16, 2011)

On December 15, the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) opened in Geneva with news that -- after more than 10 years of negotiations -- a deal was reached on a more robust Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) to generate new business opportunities for U.S. companies in 42 countries and more than 150 central and sub-central government entities, such as Canada's provinces. Additional sectors are being opened as well, and countries will enhance transparency by bidding for contracts through electronic methods. According to WTO estimates, the total value of new market access opportunities is expected to be between $80 and $100 billion. The U.S. Chamber welcomed the news: "With 'buy local' mandates proliferating around the globe, the expanded GPA will help avoid a protectionist spiral and keep foreign procurement markets open to U.S. firms," said Chamber Senior Vice President for International Affairs Myron Brilliant.

On December 14, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing on the status and future of the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations as well as the potential benefits of the agreement for U.S. companies, workers, and farmers. The hearing focused on the progress of the negotiations, a timetable for conclusion, and possible new members.

On December 14, the U.S. Chamber applauded the release of a report prepared by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) with support from the Chamber-affiliated U.S.-Egypt Business Council calling for U.S. policy makers to work toward the goal of launching free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Egypt. "As the United States continues to pursue its goal of doubling exports by 2014, it must look towards countries that will be integrating into the global economy," said Lionel Johnson, vice president of Middle East and North Africa Affairs. "This report is simple in its message: closer trade relations between the United States and Egypt can bring growth and jobs for both countries."

On Thursday, the new Secretary of Commerce, John Bryson, spoke to the Chamber about helping American businesses grow and create jobs.

The former Chairman and CEO of Southern California Edison centered his talk on developing America's advanced manufacturing: nanotechnology; biotech; robotics; electronics; etc.

Last week the Administrative Conference of the U.S. (ACUS) voted to finalize an update of its 1991 recommendation on international regulatory cooperation. A year ago, the U.S. Chamber initiated the idea of ACUS reviewing and updating its recommendation as part of the Global Regulatory Cooperation Project's efforts to redefine the international role, responsibility, and coordination of U.S. regulatory agencies. The Chamber was pleased to partner with ACUS in April of this year to organize a joint program that served to make the case for the ACUS review. Since then, the GRC Project has worked closely with ACUS and provided several rounds of input into a background report prepared by ACUS as well as the final recommendations voted on last week. The revised recommendations represent the most forward-thinking vision articulated to date of how U.S. regulators should tackle non-tariff barriers. The Chamber will work with ACUS to implement the new recommendations and drive a paradigm shift in the mindset of U.S. regulators and promote U.S. global competitiveness. For details, please contact Adam Schlosser, Senior Manager for Global Regulatory Cooperation (aschlosser@uschamber.com).

On December 13, the U.S. Chamber welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki to mark the transition from U.S. military engagement in Iraq to economic engagement through closer commercial ties. The prime minister told the audience that his country is welcoming all U.S. companies with open arms as U.S. troops leave at the end of the month. Al-Maliki said U.S. companies in all economic sectors could find opportunities to help rebuild in Iraq.

"As U.S. engagement in Iraq transitions, the private sector will play an increasingly important role to help shape virtually every sector, from electricity and housing to transportation, telecommunications, and healthcare. These commercial opportunities translate into jobs in both Iraq and the United States, benefitting both countries" said David Chavern, chief operating officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. More than 30 Iraqi business representatives attended the event along with top U.S. business leaders from sectors including oil and gas, financial, health care, and construction. For details, please contact Lionel Johnson, Vice President for the Middle East (ljohnson@uschamber.com).

AACCLA's "Outlook on the Americas" Luncheon
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Biltmore Hotel
Coral Gables, FL
Register here

Russia Day at WTO Ministerial, Congress and PNTR by Christopher Wenk

WTO Ministerial Underway in Geneva by Christopher Wenk

Toward an FTA with Egypt by Sean Hackbarth

Iraqi Prime Minister: Business Now at the Front by Sean Hackbarth

Pakistan's Humanitarian Crisis by Esperanza Gomez Jelalian

Estimados Socios y Amigos:

Es un agrado compartir con ustedes el TIPS 34-2011, que la firma tributaria FIDESBURó, socia de AmCham Guayaquil, ha desarrollado el cual trata sobre las Obligaciones empresariales y tributarias que deben observar las sociedades y personas naturales, a partir o durante diciembre de 2011.

1.- Pago de la decimotercera remuneración: Hasta diciembre 24, los empleadores a nivel nacional deberán pagar a favor de sus trabajadores bajo relación de dependencia, la decimotercera remuneración o "bono navideño" por el año 2011, la cual es equivalente a la 12va. parte de las remuneraciones que hubieren percibido durante el año calendario, teniéndose como remuneración aquella definida como tal en el Art.95 del Código del Trabajo.

2.- Impuesto predial: Las personas naturales y sociedades propietarias de predios ubicados dentro de los límites de las zonas urbanas, deben pagar hasta diciembre 31, ante la municipalidad donde se encuentre ubicado el bien inmueble, el impuesto predial urbano por el año 2011, con recargo del 10% del valor del impuesto a ser cancelado.

Editorial Litocromo

Editorial Litocromo nació en 1968 con la intención de ofrecer al público una alternativa diferente y moderna en Invitaciones para toda ocasión, es una empresa que produce, distribuye y exporta invitaciones para todo evento social.  Sus productos están elaborados con materia prima proveniente de Italia, España y Francia.
 
La Editorial Litocromo es la única empresa exportadora de invitaciones para toda ocasión afiliada a Fedexpor.  Actualmente exporta a Venezuela, Panamá, Costa Rica, Colombia, y EEUU. 

Los productos de Litocromo están catalogados como iguales o mejores a los extranjeros, en los que se ha sabido implantar su sello personal de elegancia y calidad, al  ofrecer originalidad en sus diseños, calidad en sus procesos y competitividad en sus servicios;  mecanismos que lo han hecho merecedor de importantes premios internacionales en los que se da un reconocimiento a la calidad y al prestigio comercial.

www.litocromo.com