The Legislative Assembly passed, in first reading, a bill that authorizes the construction of public works through trusts.
The initiative, proposed by legislator Humberto Vargas, received 45 votes in favor and 1 against (legislator Ligia Fallas).
The proposal empowers the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) and the National Road Council (CONAVI) to set up public interest trusts with commercial state banks to plan, design, build, operate and maintain transport infrastructure.
However, it excludes the Costa Rican Raiload Institute (INCOFER) because the measure was incorporated in the law to strengthen the entity, approved last year.
The project is based on the experience the country has had in the implementation of Law 9292, which authorized the trust for San José-San Ramón Highway.
The trust contracts will be countersigned by the Comptroller General of the Republic.