Costa Rica's National Assembly on Tuesday approved the first of 12 bills required to implement the free trade agreement among the United States, Central America and the Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR).
The assembly's press office said that the Foreign Company Representative Protection Law, the first of the 12, was passed with 32 votes in favor and 11 against.
The law sets out a new regulatory framework for foreign companies and their representatives.
The Citizens Action Party warned that the law leaves many such representatives without protection because they mainly represent small and medium-sized companies.
However, Lorena Vasquez, leader of the Social Christian Unity Party, said her party had backed the bill to be faithful to the mandate given by the people on Oct. 7."
Costa Rican people voted yes in a referendum on the CAFTA-DR on Oct. 7.
There are 10 bills waiting for approval by the assembly and another one is still under drafting process.
The government said earlier that all the bills should be passed before March 1, 2008 so that the CAFTA-DR may come into force.
Source: Xinhua
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