A. M. 
The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador approved with 57 votes the Law for the Creation of the Dirección de Ordenamiento Territorial y Construcción (DOT), a new regulation that seeks to streamline the process of granting construction permits and lotifications, with the aim of reducing waiting times from 350 days to 175 days, encouraging investment in El Salvador.
Currently, the processing of construction permits is regulated by various regulations and requires multiple requirements, which delays the process and hinders investment. The creation of the DOT will centralize these procedures, facilitating investment and reducing costs through the use of information technology.
The new law establishes that the DOT will be the leading entity in national land use planning and land use policies. In addition, it is expected that this simplification of procedures will increase competitiveness, generate more employment and boost the country’s economy.
Congresswoman Elisa Rosales emphasized that this regulation is key to attract both domestic and foreign investment, at a time when security is a determining factor for economic growth. The law seeks to standardize construction procedures, simplifying the process that currently involves up to 80 regulations and 30 institutions.
According to data from the Banco Central de Reserva (BCR), foreign direct investment in El Salvador reached US$759 million in 2023, quadrupling the results of 2022. Likewise, the construction sector represents 40% of national investment and employs around 200,000 people annually, highlighting the importance of this sector for the country’s economy.
