Panama tax battle heating up
(Newsroompanama.com) The battle over Panama’s new taxation program has heated up, with the country's Minister of Economy and Finance and Mayor Bosco Vallarino’s advisor engaged in a war of words.
Finance Minister, Alberto Vallarino called for "closer coordination" between Panama City officials and the business community, pointing to the conflict between Panama City business leaders and Mayor Bosco over the proposed changes.
Assembly deputy and Bosco advisor, Jose Blandon, accused the minister of disloyalty to the Panamenista Party for attacking the new taxation system and said he had committed a grave political error and, "consciously or unconsciously" had allied himself with those hoping for the failure of the Panamenista administration at city hall.
Bosco Vallarino walked out of a meeting with business owners at the Chamber of Commerce earlier in the week and said he had no time to answer questions on the tax increases.
The Minister said: "There are things that I see that concern me," and said he has heard valid criticisms of the proposed new taxes, planned to go into effect in April.
The minister said that elected officials need to consult with stakeholder groups before putting policies into place that will impact on them.
Supermarkets have complained that the taxes are going to rapidly push up prices to consumers.
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Original Source: Newsroompanama.com
Date Retrieved: January 23, 2011.
