Category Archives: Costa Rica

BLP Advised on the First Public, Sustainable, and Dematerialized Bond Issued by a Financial Institution in Guatemala

In a significant move within the financial sector, BLP provided comprehensive legal counsel to Banco Davivienda during the acquisition and integration of Scotiabank’s operations in Costa Rica. This transaction, encompassing banking, insurance, and leasing businesses, highlights BLP’s expertise in navigating complex mergers and acquisitions in the region. This agreement is part of Davivienda’s strategic expansion…

Artificial Intelligence and Technologies Promotion Law

On February 25, 2025, the Legislative Assembly enacted the Artificial Intelligence and Technologies Promotion (AI) Law. Its objective is to promote the development, research, and application of artificial intelligence in El Salvador, encouraging and promoting innovation while ensuring its responsible use to contribute to technological advancement and economic growth. The AI Law applies to all…

New Customs Directive: Mandatory Validation for Trade Agreement Exemptions

On February 12, 2025, the General Directorate of Customs published Directive No. MH-DGA-DIR-0001-2025, issued on January 7, 2025, introducing key changes for customs procedures. This directive modifies the existing regulations by removing the last paragraph of Directive No. DIR-DGA-01-2021 and adding point vii), establishing a new requirement for the exemption of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)…

Obligations for the Management of Construction and Demolition Waste

Autor https://blplegal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Articulo-Hidrogeno-Verde_FOTO.png Luis Palacios Director Costa Rica E-mail The construction industry is one of the most environmentally impactful sectors worldwide, primarily due to the large volume of waste it generates. However, in Costa Rica, there has historically been a regulatory gap concerning the management of construction waste, as governmental oversight has traditionally been reserved for…

Constitutional Chamber Expands Maternity Leave Rights in Same-Sex Parent Families in Costa Rica

The Constitutional Chamber, through ruling number 92412-2024, has resolved an action of unconstitutionality filed against Article 95 of the Labor Code and Article 41 of the Law on Public Employment. The ruling establishes that these articles violated the fundamental rights of equality and special protection of the family, women, and minors by not considering the…

Business Opportunity: New Call for 100 Megawatts of Private Solar Generation in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE) has announced that in March 2025, it will launch a new call to incorporate 100 megawatts of private solar generation into the national electricity system. This initiative aims to strengthen the energy matrix and advance decarbonization and sustainability goals. The call will be exclusively open to solar projects…

New Technical Regulation on Hemp and Derivative Products in Costa Rica

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 of the regulation is the control of…

Draft Resolution on the Informative Transfer Pricing Statement in Costa Rica

The Ministry of Finance and the General Directorate of Taxation have submitted for comment the draft resolution on the tax obligation on transfer pricing. Comments on the draft shall be submitted between February 12 and 26, 2025. This draft resolution establishes the mandatory filing of the annual informative transfer pricing statement for taxpayers engaging in…

Extension of the deadline for the implementation of changes to electronic invoices in Costa Rica

By means of press release CP-08-2025 dated February 11, 2025, the Ministry of Finance extends the deadline for the implementation of modifications to electronic invoices in accordance with version 4.4 until September 1st, 2025, as established in resolution MH-DGT-RES-0027-2024. This extension aims to allow taxpayers sufficient time to implement the changes to electronic invoices, which…

BLP is honored as Law Firm of the Year – Central America by LatinFinance

We are pleased to announce that BLP has received the prestigious Law Firm of the Year – Central America at the LatinFinance Deals of the Year Awards 2024. This recognition reaffirms our excellence in legal advisory services within the financial and capital markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. The awards ceremony took place on…