In Costa Rica, a bill is in progress that contemplates eliminating fines for the first member of a cartel that recognizes and denounces to the authorities that has engaged in monopolistic practices.
As part of the bills for Costa Rica's entry into the OECD, deputies voted in second debate file No. 21.303, Law strengthening the competition authorities of Costa Rica, reported last August 29 the Legislative Assembly.
As of April 5 mergers and acquisitions will have to be approved at the Antitrust Commission, part of the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Trade, before they can take place.
From that date, the Antitrust Commission, at the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC), will have the power to approve or deny deals, if it is concluded that they would result in undue concentration of business.
The Law on Promotion of Competition and Effective Consumer Protection recently approved typifies monopolistic practices and changes the rules on economic groups.
Two of the most important changes are expanding the scope of the law, which now includes public service employees in cases of concessions and the introduction of a new absolute monopolistic practice: the agreement between competitors to 'refuse to buy or sell goods or services'.