Although at the request of the business sector, President Varela vetoed the bill establishing an 8% tax on local and imported sugary beverages, Panama’s National Assembly will insist on approving it.

The National Assembly approved in third session the new taxes, however, the business sector asked the Panamanian president at the end of February 2019 to veto the bill, which establishes a tax of 8% for sugared drinks of national production and imported and 10% for syrups and concentrates.

See “Proposal to Veto New Tax on Sweetened Beverages”

After the bill was vetoed, the legislature reported that “… The Economy and Bonds Commission of the National Assembly decided to pass by insistence Law 570, which creates the Action Plan to Improve Health and Establish the Selective Tax on the Consumption of Sugared Beverages and the Criteria for its use. The report will now be submitted to the plenary for its respective ratification.”

Also see “Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Imports up to the First Semester”

From the National Assembly statement:

April 2, 2019. The Commission of Economy and bonds of the National Assembly decided to approve by insistence Bill 570, which creates the Action Plan to Improve Health and Establish the Selective Tax on Consumption of Sugared Beverages and Criteria for its Use. The report will now be submitted to the plenary for its respective ratification.

Read full statement (In Spanish).