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And Derivative Products in Costa Rica. By BLP Legal. On February 20, 2025, La Gaceta published Technical Regulation RTCR 511:2023, which establishes guidelines for sanitary products containing hemp and its derivatives. This regulation sets requirements for importation, manufacturing, and sanitary registration, covering products such as food, dietary supplements, cosmetics, pesticides, medical equipment, and more. A key aspect […]

By BLP Legal.  Ministerial Agreement Number 82-2025 was published in the Diario de Centroamérica on February 7, 2025. It creates the “Care Unit for Returned Migrants” within the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. The Ministry’s General Directorate of Employment will direct and supervise this unit.  The purpose of the Care Unit for Returned Migrants […]

By BLP Legal.   As has been the case with past technological advances, AI will become a “a tool for efficiency” for writers and creators, streamlining certain aspects of the creative process, and enabling them to focus on the emotional elements of their craft that only human creativity can achieve. While resistance to such transformative innovations is […]

By BLP Legal   The Tax Administration Service (SAR) has issued a new requirement that will come into effect starting with the 2024 fiscal period:  New Requirement: The “Financial Statement Report” must be submitted before the Income Tax Return Declaration.  What does the report include? • Balance Sheet • Profit and Loss Statements  Submission Deadlines: • From […]

To chemical accidents in Costa Rica. By: BLP Legal.   Until recently, chemical accidents were treated in the same way as other types of accidents, a problematic approach since the authorities must adapt any response to the specific threat involved. In the case of chemical substances, it is essential to have precise knowledge of the […]

By: BLP Legal.   To preserve marine biodiversity and meet global conservation goals, the Costa Rica Forever Association has established the Blue Fund, an innovative financial trust, that marks a turning point in the protection of Costa Rica’s marine ecosystems. This project is supported by BLP’s legal advisory, which played a key role in the development and structuring of this […]

The importance of advancing toward a paperless cross-border trade in Costa Rica. By BLP Legal.     Costa Rica has made significant strides in pursuing a paperless cross-border e-commerce system driven by market demands and its inherent benefits. The paperless cross-border trade initiative established under the framework of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement […]

By BLP. New Regulation Streamlines the Entry of Raw Materials for Free Trade Zones into Costa Rica The Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Health have issued regulations under Decree No. 44696-S-COMEX, allowing the admission of products of sanitary interest or their raw materials into the free trade zone and active improvement regimes without […]

By BLP Legal   On November 20, 2024, the Congress of Guatemala urgently approved Decree 32-2024, the “Competition Law.” This approval marks a significant milestone for the country, aiming to promote a competitive market, attract foreign investment, and boost national economic growth. The new law seeks to prevent anti-competitive, monopolistic practices or practices that limit market access […]

For Green Hydrogen Development By BLP Legal Amid the global energy transition, green hydrogen emerges as a key alternative for achieving decarbonization. With abundant renewable energy, ample water availability, and a legal framework that encourages foreign investment, Costa Rica has significant potential to attract investment and become a leader in green hydrogen production and export. Abundant […]

By BLP Legal, Costa Rica Below are the regulatory compliance trends for the tourism sector in Costa Rica this year:  Environment  Utilization of protected areas along riverbanks for ecotourism purposes: According to the latest amendment to the Forestry Law, the use and management of protected areas around rivers and streams for the installation of structures such as […]

By, Marleni Garcia, BLP Legal, Guatemala   Protecting intellectual property (IP) assets ensures an organization’s competitiveness and long-term success. This task begins by identifying intangible assets and continues with the implementation of robust protection strategies.  Identification of Intellectual Assets  The first step in managing Intellectual Property is identifying the intellectual assets within an organization. This procedure […]

By BLP Legal Avoid sanctions and operational problems by ensuring compliance with the new Transparency and Final Beneficiary Registry (RTBF) declaration. Starting in 2024, Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) in Costa Rica must comply with new transparency obligations, under the aegis of the Transparency and Final Beneficiary Registry of the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR). This requirement […]

By Rodolfo Salazar, BLP Legal. Guatemala and various other countries face a scenario where the courts are overloaded with cases. This situation has led to long waiting times for court rulings, resulting in slow and sometimes ineffective access to justice. In this context, arbitration emerges as an alternative method of conflict resolution that offers a […]

New SAT Resolution. By BLP Legal On August 9, 2024, Guatemala’s Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT) published resolution SAT-DSI-1310-2024 in the Diario de Centroamérica. This regulation establishes the administrative provisions to enable authorized third parties, such as Lawyers and Notaries, Public Accountants and Auditors or Expert Accountants, to carry out procedures in the Digital Unified Tax […]

Ongoing intellectual property (IP) management involves strategic decisions on exploiting, defending, and transferring an organization’s intangible assets. These processes are vital for maximizing the value of IP assets and ensuring their protection in a competitive environment.  Management of the Intellectual Property Portfolio  Effective management of the IP portfolio involves deciding which assets to maintain, license, […]

What Does It Mean for Banks and Users? The Consumer Assistance and Support Directorate (DIACO), a division of the Ministry of Economy (MINECO) of Guatemala, has launched the FINANCIAL SERVICES PROTECTION UNIT (UPSF) in compliance with the new Credit Card Law, Decree 2-2024, in effect since September 1, 2024.  The UPSF will act as a […]

A Costa Rican Perspective. In the dynamic business world, mergers and acquisitions represent a powerful tool for the growth and consolidation of companies. However, the complexity and challenges inherent in these transactions can create uncertainty and anxiety. In this context, we firmly believe that knowledge brings calm. Our mission is to provide clarity and understanding, […]

Strategies. Protecting intellectual property (IP) assets ensures an organization’s competitiveness and long-term success. This task begins by identifying intangible assets and continues with the implementation of robust protection strategies.  Identification of Intellectual Assets  The first step in managing Intellectual Property is identifying the intellectual assets within an organization. This procedure includes detecting inventions, trademarks, designs, […]

El marketing jurídico es mucho más que una etiqueta o un conjunto de tácticas aisladas. Es una especialización dentro de la industria legal que combina conocimientos en mercadeo con una comprensión profunda del sector legal. Como cualquier disciplina profesional, tiene sus propias ramas y niveles de complejidad que se adaptan a las necesidades particulares de […]

or bill of exchange? For those who had the opportunity to read the two previous articles (and if not, the link is here), you will remember that we are already clear that in Costa Rica, it is valid to issue electronic promissory notes or bills of exchange (whether “electronified” 1or dematerialized), and that the Law on Electronic Bill […]

Main Changes and Legal Considerations Under the regulations on the Transparency Registry and Final Beneficiaries in Costa Rica, legal entities and other legal structures domiciled in the country, third-party resource managers on behalf of their clients, non-profit organizations and private trusts, including foreign trusts that carry out activities in Costa Rica, must declare and present […]

Under the basic principles of criminal law, only individuals can commit crimes. Legal entities themselves cannot do so.  However, legal entities can incur criminal liability, whether through intent or negligence, due to the actions or omissions of their directors, managers, executives, representatives, administrators, officials, or employees who have contributed to the resultant offense.   In our […]

As part of the initiative led by the firm Miller & Chevalier to periodically evaluate the impact of corruption on business in the region, the Survey on Corruption in Latin America 2024 was published, the results of which were discussed and analyzed on April 25 by the “Panel on Corruption in Latin America 2024”. The […]

In environmental management, the theory of broken glass offers insight into how small actions can influence large problems. As taken from criminology, this theory suggests that visible signs of disorder and neglect in an environment encourage a higher incidence of antisocial behavior. The relevance of this theory to solid waste management is pertinent, especially when […]

Main Changes and Legal Considerations Authors Adriana Castro Partner Costa Rica E-mail Elena Foltrán Associate Costa Rica E-mail Under the regulations on Transparency Registration and Final Beneficiaries in Costa Rica, legal entities and other legal structures domiciled in the country, administrators of third-party resources on behalf of their clients, non-profit organizations, and private trusts, including […]

On February 8, 2024, Costa Rica passed a law to protect persons who report acts of corruption and the witnesses of those who report, which applies to both the public and private sectors. From the labor perspective, this law introduces a special protection jurisdiction and a series of measures to ensure that whistleblowers and witnesses […]

The effect on the administration and control of the company In the business world, teamwork is essential. Likewise, when several people come together to invest in and manage a company through shares, they must decide on the company’s direction. Here, shareholder agreements come into play. A shareholder agreement can be considered the instruction manual that […]

As part of Costa Rica’s process of adherence to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”), various laws have been enacted in order to strengthen the regulatory framework on compliance and anti-corruption. Part of these efforts are reflected in the recent enactment of two new laws that seek to strengthen our country’s commitment to […]

Agriculture, in the heart of Guatemala, is intertwined with the country’s history, traditions and economic aspirations. Over the centuries, from ancient Mayan civilizations to modern farmers, Guatemalan lands have witnessed crops that have fed and clothed generations. This sector has not only sustained the national economy by being a primary source of exports, but has […]

Corporations, as essential economic engines, are not only structures for investment and capital growth, but are also scenarios for human relations and rights. Within them, we find a diversity of shareholders, from those who own large portions of the shares to those who have a more limited participation. The latter, known as minority shareholders, are […]

he business environment offers a wide range of opportunities and benefits. However, it also presents risks, especially for real estate holdings. Despite the many associated benefits of owning real estate, companies may find that their properties are targets for fraud and scams.  The business environment offers a wide range of opportunities and benefits. However, it […]

For a long time, economic policies have had to find a balance between the immediate needs of the State and the long-term development of the nation. In that regard, free trade zones (FTZs) have emerged as a strategic solution in many countries. For decades, these zones have been the basis of multiple economic and legal […]

Water, essential for human existence, agriculture, and industry, has always been a natural resource of an incalculable value. In the Guatemalan context, although there are indeed legal provisions for the protection and management of water, we face significant challenges in their implementation and adaptation.   First, we observe a lack of consistent and consistent application of […]

On September 9, 2023, the new RTCR 505: 2022: BIOMEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL. CLASSIFICATION, REGISTRATION, IMPORT, LABELING, ADVERTISING, SURVEILLANCE, AND CONTROL came into effect, establishing requirements and procedures for the classification, registration, import, labeling, advertising, and surveillance of biomedical equipment and material. Under this new regulation, the following documents, which were not previously requested by […]

The corporate environment is complex, and shareholdings are one of a company’s most sensitive areas. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs are unaware of legal risks that could undermine their corporate structure. One of these dangers, unfortunately on the rise, is the theft of shareholdings through falsified documents. In many cases, this fraudulent act can have devastating consequences […]

In Costa Rica, we usually associate the free trade zone (FTZ) with the export of goods, most often medical devices. However, according to COMEX statistics, the country’s export of services has had an annual growth rate of 6%, reaching a staggering $11.79 billion in 2022, with a substantial portion of such exports centered on technology. […]

On September 26, 2023, with the support of 38 legislators, the Legislative Assembly resealed Legislative Decree #10,381 (the Law), which seeks to reform the Income Tax Law, to ensure that the country is excluded from the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions of the European Union.  In order to comply with the necessary requirements to leave the […]

For multinational corporations eyeing expansion into the vibrant landscape of Central America, the transfer of employees and expatriates to Guatemala is an integral step. Yet, this process isn’t without its complexities, as it navigates through a maze of immigration regulations and requisites. In this comprehensive blog post, we aim to provide clarity and insight by […]

The approval of Legislative Decree 48-2022 Law for the Economic Recovery and Reactivation of Micro and Small Businesses and Agreement 362-2022 Regulations for the Economic Recovery and Reactivation of Micro and Small Businesses applies to all Micro and Small Enterprises (MSMEs) that have been: Incorporated in Honduras. Operating informally within five (5) years before the […]

Legal framework of the Franchise Agreement in Guatemala Franchising is a result of commercial expansion around the world; it is a way by which a merchant/entrepreneur who already has an established, proven, and successful business model in the marketing of its products and services under an identifying trade name, and therefore a booming business, can […]

Three years after the peak of Work from Home and the investments in technological capital made by companies, we are facing a new panorama with the gradual return to face-to-face work. This return has implied a change in the needs and expectations of workers. Now they are looking for office space with adjustability terms of […]

The Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic has amended the Regulation on the Endorsement of Public Administration Contracting. This reform defines the Comptroller General’s responsibilities under the General Public Procurement Law. It highlights the obligation to migrate to electronic endorsement through the Unified Digital System (SICOP) while establishing deadlines and procedures for endorsing […]

In Nicaragua, the principle of “Freedom of Enterprise” governs. Natural and legal persons, national or foreign, decide their form of organization and receive the same rights and guarantees. Relevant information to choose which option is best for your business is found below. Local Company Without prejudice to other permitted corporate forms, the most common business […]

UNDP offers national or international companies opportunities for competitive procurement of a technical analysis of the Motagua River and, in addition, an analysis of the classification system of the Judicial Branch. The first seeks to identify and address the water contamination of one of the country’s most important rivers. The second one pursues a system […]

On 6 June 2019, the Law on the Liability of Legal Persons on Domestic Bribery, Transnational Bribery and Other Crimes (“Act”) was passed as part of the commitments made to the OECD. In application of the best international practices, the Law grants criminal liability to legal persons (national or foreign), and other commercial figures (such as trusts, […]

To do business in Costa Rica, several legal approaches can be used such as sole proprietorship, forming a local company, or opening a branch office of a foreign corporation. The following paragraphs 1.1 through 1.1.3 discuss information relevant to choosing which institutional structure is best for your business. The two most common commercial formations under […]

Legal framework of the Franchise Agreement in Guatemala Franchising is a result of commercial expansion around the world; it is a way by which a merchant/entrepreneur who already has an established, proven, and successful business model in the marketing of its products and services under an identifying trade name, and therefore a booming business, can […]

Recently, the Regulation regarding the marketing in the Union market and the export from the Union of certain raw materials and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation was approved. This regulation would prohibit the entry into the European Union of certain agricultural products that have caused deforestation in their country of origin. Latin American […]

How should appeals be submitted as of the entry into force of the new Public Procurement Law and its Regulations? As of the entry into force of the new Public Procurement Law No. 9986 and its Regulations, all procedures related to public procurement must use the SICOP platform, including appeals to object to the solicitation […]

Decree 46-2022 of the Congress of the Republic, which contains the Law for the Promotion of Foreign Capital Investment, will enter into force. With the new legislation, the Government of Guatemala seeks that foreign investors enjoy some incentives and with this, the country is attractive for the arrival of new companies.   Foreign individuals or legal entities whose […]

A free transmission is one in which something (good or right) is received without payment in exchange for what is received, although it may be subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions. An example would be receiving an inheritance, donation or prize. In this type of transmission, the person who receives the good or right (donee) is […]

Costa Rica is an ideal country to visit, retire to, and invest in, thanks to its excellent reputation for environmental protection, globally recognized ecotourism schemes, political and social stability, legal security, and health system.  Under Executive Decree 43926-MGP-H-TUR, the regulations to the LAW FOR THE ATTRACTION OF INVESTORS, RENTHOLDERS AND PENSIONERS went into effect on […]

On February 23, 2023, the National Commission for the Minimum Wage in Nicaragua, presided over by the Labor Ministry of the Nicaraguan Government, approved the adjustment of the current minimum wages for all the sectors of the national economy to be in effect from March 1, 2023, through February 29, 2024, as follows: Read more

Learn about the annual obligations that apply to your companies in each Central American countries. At BLP we can help you to ensure compliance in each country. Download each of the dates in the electronic calendar of your preference. Do not miss any of these dates and avoid fines and penalties. Continue reading

The phrase, “Hope for the best, plan for the worst,” is one I heard in a spy movie, and searching for a title for this article, it occurred to me that we could use that phrase to identify the role played by labor consultants.  There are many anecdotes. The companies that granted payments, bonuses, commissions, […]

On February 23, 2023, Resolution MH-DGT-RES-0001-2023 modifying subparagraph e) of article 1 of Resolution DGT-R-36-2001, Reform of exempt operations related to exports established in article 11 of the Regulation of the Value Added Tax Law, was published… Read more

Nicaragua has been regulating the application of technological tools in financial activities since, and to the extent that the local market requires the implementation of advances that allow more efficient processes to execute money transactions.  Below, we address frequently asked questions regarding Fintech regulation in Nicaragua.   What is Fintech? Fintech (Financial Technologies) refers to the […]

In Costa Rica, recently, Law number 10.113 called “Cannabis Law for Medicinal and Therapeutic Use and Hemp for Food and Industrial Use” was approved, establishing six months to regulate said Law by the Executive Branch, which has executed those regulations as published in the official newspaper La Gaceta. Since the Ministry of Agriculture has already […]

In 2019, the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources decreed a 3-year extension to the period for the regularization of environmental instruments in Guatemala contained in Government Agreement 237-2016. Thus, existing projects have until December 16, 2022, to request their respective environmental license, under penalty of a fine ranging from Q 5,000 to Q […]

In a few months, the World Cup, one of the most anticipated sporting events—in our county at least–begins. As we all know, the tournament will be held in Qatar and has created much expectation, either because the National Team will be one of the protagonists or because we want to watch and be attentive to […]

A free transfer is when the donor (transferor) bestows a benefit or right without being paid, even though the transfer may be subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions, such as an inheritance, donation, or prize. The taxpayer in this type of conveyance is the party who accepts the benefit or right (transferee) since they […]

Nicaragua has been regulating the application of technological tools in financial activities since, and to the extent that the local market requires the implementation of advances that allow more efficient processes in conducting operations with money. We understand the Fintech concept as everything related to technologies that allow financial innovation, resulting in products or tools […]

The Standards Committee of the Central Reserve Bank has issued new Technical Rules for the Management of Money Laundering and Asset Laundering Risks, Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation (NRP-36). As approved by the Central Reserve Bank on September 23, 2022, the Rules will enter into effect on October 10, […]

On August 31, 2022, Decree No. 40-2022, which contains the Law on Incentives for Electric Mobility, entered into force. Under this regulation, the aim is to promote the use of vehicles powered by electricity or hydrogen. Part of the objectives of the law above includes the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. The law establishes interesting […]

On October 24, 2022, the National Salaries Council (CNS – in its Spanish acronym) agreed to increase minimum wages in the private sector. This accord will take effect on January 1, 2023, when an increase of 6.62% for all salary categories goes into effect. Additionally, the following increases will also apply to the minimum wages […]

On December 1, 2022, the new General Public Procurement Law will enter into force, repealing the Administrative Contracting Law No. 7494 of 1996 and its Regulations. As a result, all bidding participants, companies, and public administrations must seriously prepare to address the changes under the new Law.  From its conception until realization, an ambitious reform […]

Mining is one of the strongest industries with the greatest growth potential in Nicaragua. According to Central America Data, gold exports in Central America reached an increase of 387% in 2021, and Nicaragua is in the lead with $1.534.3 billion from the United States, well above its peers on the isthmus. According to official sources, mining […]

Nicaragua has been regulating the application of technological tools in financial activities since, and to the extent that the local market requires the implementation of advances that allow more efficient processes in conducting operations with money. We understand the Fintech concept as everything related to technologies that allow financial innovation, resulting in products or tools […]

In the next few days, Decree 46-2022 of the Congress of the Republic containing the Law for the Promotion of Foreign Capital Investment will come into force. With the new legislation, the Government of Guatemala seeks foreign investors to enjoy incentives, making the country attractive to the arrival of new companies.   After the law comes into […]

Costa Rica is a country with an abundant flow of water that brings scenic beauty and biodiversity and satisfies human needs. Despite their undeniable value, the rivers, streams, or natural reservoirs that run through private property sometimes pose heavy burdens to landowners due to the legal limitations that bodies of water present to the use […]

In a session on August 24, 2022, the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador approved a special transitional law that grants facilities for the voluntary compliance of tax and customs obligations. Such law seeks to rehabilitate the situation of taxpayers who currently owe internal and customs taxes to the Tax Administration by exonerating them from fines […]

The approval of Legislative Decree 48-2022 Law for the Economic Recovery and Reactivation of Micro and Small Businesses and Agreement 362-2022 Regulations for the Economic Recovery and Reactivation of Micro and Small Businesses applies to all Micro and Small Enterprises (MSMEs) that have been: Incorporated in Honduras. Operating informally within five (5) years before the […]

The multinational financier Morgan Stanley states that the outlook for El Salvadoran impaired bonds could improve, because “we see risk-reward” in the Salvadoran debt. El Salvador’s Eurobonds, debt issued in the international market, have been hit hard by uncertainty over whether the central government will have the capacity to pay the $800 million due at […]

Turkey, Belarus, Kenya, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, and Canada are part of the internationalization strategy of markets that now consume food and beverages produced in the country, which has led to exports of more than $2.3 million in 2021, according to the Guatemalan Exporters Association (Agexport). Agexport’s Food and Beverages Commission, made up of the processed […]

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved this Wednesday, July 20, a $300 million loan for Costa Rica aimed at supporting the National Decarbonization Plan that the country launched in 2019. The credit is composed of $250 million of ordinary capital from the IDB, plus $50 million granted by the South Korean government to be administered […]

BLP’s summary of the most important regional news and opportunities offers an overview of the economic, social, and political landscape of Central America at just a click away. Highlights of the week: Costa Rica began formal procedures with the IMF for a new loan of up to $700 million Some 20% of short-term public debt […]

The famous English economist John Hicks was once asked: What is monopoly? To which the Nobel Prize winner replied: The quiet life (Hicks, 1935). On the other hand, competition, as the famous American judge Learned Hand said at the time: is a constant stress; the lack of competition acts as a narcotic, while rivalry is the stimulant […]

Since the 1990s, the consensus is that competition benefits society more than state planning of the economy. Thus, consumers will be better off as long as companies have a permanent incentive to offer lower prices, better quality and service, and more innovation. The main concern in promoting competition is that companies with market power do […]

On April 18, we in Costa Rica received the unfortunate news that the computer systems of many public institutions had been attacked by the criminal organization Conti, with the Ministry of Finance being the main target. Although much information about the transgression is yet to be elucidated and it is impossible to know the extent […]

BLP is awarded Costa Rica Firm of the Year at the IFLR Americas Awards 2022 ceremony IFLR announced the winners of the 2022 IFLR Americas Awards at a live ceremony at Essex House, New York, on May 19. Our team won the Costa Rica Firm of the Year award, a new prize that confirms BLP’s […]

Over the past few months there has been a huge global increase in environmental compliance duties, to the point that, in the near future, all the companies listed on international stock exchanges would be required to publish their greenhouse gas emissions and explain the initiatives they are taking to reduce them. The most recent headline […]

Through the publication in June 2021 of the National Security Study Memorandum (NSSM-1), the president of the United States, Joe Biden, recognized international corruption as a major risk to his country’s security due to its ability to erode democracy and the rule of law in nations of the world. In response to this recognition, a […]

What are compliance programs? Compliance programs (also called “compliance models”) are a set of policies, procedures, and actions that a company takes to identify and reduce the risks of breaking the Law, remedying potential violations, and generating a culture of compliance within the company. Types of compliance programs Since its purpose is to reduce the […]

The London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) has been described as the most important financial number. LIBOR is an essential component for the international financial markets, a statement proven by its widespread use worldwide. By the beginning of 2021, it was estimated that LIBOR underpinned financial contracts worth approximately US$ 200 trillion for products such as […]

Learn about the annual obligations that apply to your companies in each Central American countries. At BLP we can help you to ensure compliance in each country. Download each of the dates in the pdf calendar of your preference. Do not miss any of these dates and avoid fines and penalties. Continue reading

High prices commonly lead to an attempt to control them through regulation. This remedy, while tempting, is rarely a suitable solution. Rather, price controls tend to aggravate problems before they fix them. Paradoxically, even in the face of abundant evidence and repeated examples of failure, some consumers feel protected by this type of measure even […]

As of January 1, of this year, the new “Instructions for Qualifying Institutions Domiciled Abroad in the context of the Income Tax Law, Tax Law on the Transfer of Personal Property and the Provision of Services and Tributary Code” entered into force. These Instructions regulate tax benefits such as VAT exemption (currently 13%) and income […]

In Guatemala, Decree number 4-2020 “Reforms to the Law of Non-Governmental Organizations for Development, Decree number 2-2003 of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala and the Civil Code, Decree-Law number 106 of the Head of Government” entered into force, which establishes, among other provisions, the obligation of a Non-Governmental Organization (“NGO”), registered and operating […]

On February 6, 2022, the Presidential Election will be held. Any employee who must work that day may go to the polls to exercise the right to vote. Our Labor Code sets forth the obligation of an employer to grant employees the time necessary to appear before their electoral domicile and cast a vote without […]

We have heard a lot about the container crisis lately, but what does it mean, and how does it affect global trade and ultimately the consumer? The COVID-19 pandemic has had a series of negative impacts on the global economy such as closures of businesses and factories, shortages of raw materials and consumer goods, a […]

The scarcity of space available in maritime transport to move goods, the exorbitant cost increases of this means of transport, closures of ports and factories, as well as saturation and delays of operations in ports, are key factors that influence the current container/supply chain crisis. The consequences of container delays include increases in the times […]

It is necessary to go back to September 1999, during the Rodríguez Echeverría administration and as part of the “National Concertation Forum”. The convenience and necessity of de-monopolizing the insurance market in order to open it up to private competition were discussed. For  promoters, the opening of the insurance market in Costa Rica would improve […]

Reform of articles 29 and 38 of the “Law Against Sexual Harassment in Employment and Teaching” On October 6, 2021, the Executive Power signed the reform of articles 29 and 38 of the “Law Against Sexual Harassment in Employment and Teaching” (Law 7476), which was published in La Gaceta on the 20th October 2021. With […]

By Adelina Vilallobos BLP Partner, Foreign Direct Investment Expert avillalobos@blplegal.com In time for the bicentennial came the Digital Riser report for 2021 published by the European Center for Digital Competitiveness. This report measures a country’s progress in digital transformation, based on information from the World Economic Forum. The results for Costa Rica are not as […]

Luis A. Ortiz Zamora – BLP Partner lortiz@blplegal.com According to the latest Global Competitiveness Index published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), Costa Rica seriously lags in infrastructure compared to countries like top-rated Singapore. Indeed, in comparing ourselves to the other 141 qualified countries,  we rank at number 62 in infrastructure, 117 in quality of roads, […]

In recent years, concerns over electricity costs and the impact of such costs on the country’s productivity have increased. According to a recent CINDE study, the price of electricity in Costa Rica has risen significantly compared to that of other countries with which it competes in attracting investment. This cost is, in large part, a […]

Currently before the Legislative Assembly, under file 22,364, is a draft reform to the General Customs Law, whose objective, according to the Ministry of Finance, is to strengthen customs control, fight against smuggling, facilitate trade and improve revenue collection. Analyzing the text of the proposal, which is important for companies in the logistics chain to […]

Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America but not the region’s largest exporter, being surpassed by Panama and Costa Rica, which have developed free trade zones that facilitate investment, promoting employment and the growth of their economies, to the point that, despite having much smaller populations, their quality of life is higher. Considering the […]

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read or write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn” Alvin Toffler. We learned labor law as a branch of legal sciences, a summation of concepts and theories, that little by little has been clashing with reality. Labor law structured for a […]

The life sciences sector has been one of the areas most impacted by COVID-19. On the positive side, certain related products and devices experienced unexpected demand in the past year, thus increasing sector progress. On the negative side, the coronavirus led to the interruption of research and development in fields unrelated to the pandemic creating […]

Costa Rica is an ideal country to visit, retire and invest thanks to its excellent reputation for environmental protection, globally recognized ecotourism schemes, political and social stability, legal security, and our health system. The new LAW FOR THE ATTRACTION OF INVESTORS, RENTERS AND PENSIONERS has just been approved. This law allows foreign persons who qualify as […]

A large part of the health regulations issued in 2020 focused on the protection of employees during working hours. Thus, the decade has begun with increased attention to compliance with company health and safety regulations. Since the beginning of 2020, the authorities at the global level have been much more vigilant in compliance with health […]

If the last few months have taught us anything, it is that the protection of personal data is transcendental, especially in the face of the inevitable digitization of society. Nevertheless, on several occasions, it has been shown that the Law on Protection of the Person against the Treatment of Personal Data (Data Protection Law) urgently […]

El lado ambiental de un sistema de compliance: La protección al medioambiente y las prácticas sostenibles son ahora un estándar indispensable que toda compañía debe poseer, ser responsable con el ambiente se ha vuelto otro producto de negocio más para las empresas, que genera beneficios tangibles como el aumento de ventas, la revalorización de la […]

(Nicaragua, November 2020) It is nothing new that COVID-19 came in like a hurricane in the middle of the summer. No one expected it, no one was prepared and most of the responses have been simply reactive to the situation. In Nicaragua, even with the few self-imposed measures of social distancing, we have had the […]

(Costa Rica, July 2020) Costa Rica is the most stable country in Central America, not only because the economic growth it experienced during the past years but also because of its political stability through decades. Recently, in May 2020, the members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), unanimously decided to invite Costa Rica […]