The members of the Congressional Economic Commission learned about the amendments to initiatives 6527 and 6541, which contain the proposal of the General Law of the National Port System. In addition, they agreed to hold a session of the Block Chiefs’ Instance on July 27 to seek consensus.
The initiatives aim to create the National Port Authority (APN) and a directory as an autonomous governing body in charge of regulating port activity.
Deputy Jorge Ayala, rapporteur of the project, stated that during the July 14 session, amendments were raised related to the responsibilities and scope of the APN, as the entity responsible for applying the International Code for the Security of Ships and Port Facilities (ISPS Code), and not for carrying out cargo inspections, as originally established in the opinion.
In addition, the mechanisms for the transition between the National Port Commission (CPN), which will disappear, and the APN were discussed.
The legislator indicated that the purpose is to guarantee that the technical staff of the CPN has priority access to the positions of the new authority, in order to preserve the accumulated experience.
He also explained that guarantees will be granted to the members of the public port unions so that they can apply for certain positions and participate in the selection processes.
APN maintains its integration
Ayala reported that the integration of the APN is maintained, whose proposal includes four representatives of the State and one of the users.
The integration would be made up of representatives from the ministries of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing; Government; Economy; the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT), and the Council of International Transport Users of Guatemala.
“The Commission did not discuss a change to governance, although we believe that from the Plenary Session of Congress or the body of block heads to which it will be convened there are some concerns regarding some changes in governance, but the Economy Commission will not be transferring an alternative proposal to the one that was originally ruled,” he stated.
Block Heads will discuss amendments
Regarding the schedule established by the Commission, the legislator commented that a session is expected to be held on Monday, July 27, with the Instance of Block Heads and the Permanent Commission of Congress to reach the necessary consensus, incorporate the amendments and define their wording.
If agreements are reached that day, the initiative could be included in the agenda of the plenary session on July 29. Otherwise, it would be known in the first session of August to discuss it by articles and approve its final draft.
Ayala reiterated that concluding the approval process is a priority for the current legislature.
Legal Certainty
The Guatemalan-American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) urged the deputies to approve said law and that the amendments incorporated during the analysis maintain the essential objectives of the initiative, which are institutionality, legal certainty, security and efficiency.
In a statement, AmCham emphasizes that private investment in this area requires significant and long-term disbursements, which is why it demands clear rules and legal stability.