As companies evaluate their global supply chains in light of recent disruptions, there is heightened interest in the concept of “nearshoring,” i.e., the transferring of a business operation to a nearby country from a more distant one. Specifically, in the North American and Western Hemisphere markets, there is renewed interest in exploring potential locations in Latin America for a range of corporate functions – from shared services to regional headquarters to logistics and manufacturing. Across the region, a range of incentive regimes exist to help businesses address nearshoring issues related to real estate, energy, customs duties and requirements, job training and income tax. 

To provide information and help answer questions about nearshoring in Latin America, EY is sponsoring a series of webcasts featuring our local country professionals. We will kick off the series with a session on Panama. Subsequent sessions will focus on Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia and others. 

Topics will include:

• Overview of supply chain resilience, including nearshoring
• Review of specific business trends driving resilience
• Tax consequences of business decisions
• Panama as a hub destination (maritime and air hub)
• Overview of Panama’s headquarters regimes, free zones (Panama Pacifico/Colon) and new manufacturing regime (EMMA)
• Looking ahead to the next session in the series – Mexico

Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2020

Time: 10:00-11:15 a.m. EDT New York

Registration: Register for this event.

Special guests from the Panamanian Government

• Jose Alejandro Rojas, Minister of Private Investment, Panama 
• Ramon Martínez De La Guardia, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Panama 
• Richard Kilborn, National Director of Investment Promotion, Panama

Panelists from EY: 

• Michael Bowes, EY Americas International Tax and Transaction Services Operating Model Effectiveness Service Offering Leader, Transfer Pricing 
• Jay Camillo, EY Global International Tax and Transaction Services Operating Model Effectiveness Service Offering Leader, Transfer Pricing 
• Rafael Sayagues, Tax & Law Managing Partner, Latin America North (LAN), Ernst & Young, S.A. 
• Luis Eduardo Ocando B., Country Managing Partner, Panama | MeCAR Market Segment Leader Latin America North (LAN), Ernst & Young Panama, S.A.

CPE credit offered: 1.4. Recommended field of study: Taxes. Learning objective: Discuss trends and tax considerations related to supply chain resilience in Asia-Pacific. This intermediate level, group internet-based course has no prerequisites or advanced preparation. Final CPE award to be based on content, polling and length of participation. See CPE FAQ for more information.

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