Costa Rica's president-elect unveils cabinet

Costa Rica's President-elect Laura Chinchilla Tuesday announced the names of the ministers that will be part of her "economic team" when she takes office on May 8.

Chinchilla said that Carlos Ricardo Benavides will be in charge of the Tourism Ministry. Benavides, who held the same portfolio during the administration of President Oscar Arias, left the post to join Chinchilla's campaign.

The economy, industry and commerce minister will be Mayi Antillon, who previously was communication and relationship minister during the Arias administration.

Francisco Jimenez will be in charge of the Ministry of Public Works and Transports. He was executive president of the Port Administration and Economic Development Board of the Atlantic Slope, which overseas Costa Rica's ports in the Caribbean.

Fernando Herrero will be the next treasury minister. Between 1994 and 1996, he held the same office during the administration of former President Jose Maria Figueres.

The new exterior commerce minister will be Annabelle Gonzalez, former negotiator of the Free Trade Agreement with the United States and former director of the World Trade Organization's agriculture division.

Gloria Abraham will assume the portfolio of agriculture and livestock minister. She has been advisor to the minister on agriculture exterior commerce.

Last week, Chinchilla named Rene Castro as the new foreign minister, Marco Vargas as the presidency minister and Jose Maria Tijerino as the security minister.

Source:Xinhua