Costa Rica's mayors submitted a joint letter to President Oscar Arias Tuesday supporting the free trade agreement with the United States, Central America and the Dominican Republic.
The agreement, known as the Central America-Dominican Republic-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), will boost trade and improve living standards in Costa Rica, said the letter sent by a delegation representing 73 of Costa Rica's 81 mayors.
CAFTA-DR has been ratified by the legislatures of all the signatory nations except for Costa Rica, which will hold a referendum on the agreement on Oct. 7.
In the letter, the mayors listed five proposals and two programs which aim to raise the income of Costa Ricans, promote greater social justice and improve wealth distribution.
San Jose Mayor Johnny Araya said the agreement is a good thing and called on Costa Ricans to ratify the treaty in the referendum.
Costa Rican President Oscar Arias has already sent a bill to the nation's legislature allowing the transfer of 10 percent of the nation's budget to local government.
At a meeting with the mayors, Arias said that the free trade agreement is necessary but not enough.
"The agreement does not replace the investment we are making in improving public education, but does allow that effort to translate into better opportunities for young people," Arias said.
Source: Xinhua
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