The CAFTA Report
Final free trade measure gets expected OK
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The CAFTA Report
Final free trade measure gets expected OK
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Final free trade measure gets expected OK For The CAFTA Report (Nov. 11, 2008) As expected, the Asamblea Legislativa has approved on second reading the final measure needed to bring the free trade treaty with the United States into effect. The lawmakers voted 38 to 13 just after noon Tuesday to approve the bill, which addresses intellectual property protection and some other changes to existing laws to conform to what is required under the treaty that was approved by voters more than a year ago. The 13 laws were called the implementing agenda, and most were fought by opponents in the legislature. Tuesday each lawmaker had a brief time to discuss the bill, and the approval came from the same coalition that the executive branch has been able to maintain since the 2006 elections. The 38 votes represent two thirds of the 57-seat chamber. The trade treaty has been the No. 1 priority of the Óscar Arias Sánchez administration, and Casa Presidencial quickly produced a press release in which Rodrigo Arias, the minister of the Presidencia and the president's brother, praised the patriotism and responsibility of those who voted for the measure. "After four and a half years of debate, after getting two extensions to incorporate the country into the treaty and after an historic referendum where the majority said yes to this commercial accord, finally we are closing this chapter," said Rodrigo Arias. "Now is the time to leave our differences behind," Marco Vinicio Ruiz, the minister of Comercio Exterior, said that in the next few days the executive branch will do what is necessary so that the treaty can enter into effect by Jan. 1. Among the work will be the drafting and editing of regulations that apply to the bill passed Tuesday. The bill has to be signed by President Arias, and both the law and the regulations must be published in the La Gaceta official newspaper. As a result of the two extensions given by the other nations that are party to the agreement, Costa Rica has until Jan. 1 to complete all the legal work. President Arias hoped to win passage of the treaty in early 2007, but legislative opponents and their demand for a referendum slowed significantly the process. "Better late than never," the president said in a news release. He learned of the approval while attending the annual awards lunch of the American Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce. The Unión Costarricense de Cámaras y Asociaciones del Sector Empresarial Privado also applauded the passage and said that the treaty is a window of opportunity for small and medium companies. The Asociación Nacional de Exportadores de la Industria Textil and the Cámara Textil Costarricense also offered their praise for the positive vote. But the oganizations also said that some 6,000 jobs were lost in the textile industry this year due to delays in getting the treaty into force. A press release noted that the treaty was signed Aug. 5, 2004. In addition to the United States, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic are parties to the treaty. Costa Rica has just approved a free trade treaty with Panamá that was encouraged by the larger treaty. Despite the happiness among treaty backers, opponents have said they will seek a renegotiation of the pact with the new Barack Obama administration in the United States after he takes office in January. |
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