©image:
ICE
Characterized by the vertical structure of its activities in the electricity market the Costa Rican Electricity Institute now has the flexibility to partner with private companies, allowing it to have a competitive advantages that could not be achieved individually in the short term."
In July 2008 the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica approved Legislative Decree 8660, the Strengthening and Modernization of Public Entities of the Telecommunications Sector and in October 2010, the Board of Directors of ICE created the Regulation of Strategic Alliances and Other Forms of Association and Business Collaboration.
This is the case of talks taking place between ICE and China's Sinohydro as wells as Brazilian energy giant Electrobras, in order to procure a strategic partner for the Reventazon River hydroelectric plant. In recent days, several media outlets leaked the news about these talks and according to the rules described above, they are protected by confidentiality agreements.
The flexibility the new legislation gives ICE to operate on an equal footing with private companies was necessary for the state agency to reduce electricity costs, but it must be taken into account that these rules limit the transparency of the economic decisions made by public officials.
See: Law on Strengthening and Modernization of Public Sector Telecommunications Entities. (Spanish)
See: Regulation of Strategic Alliances and Other Forms of Partnership and Business Collaboration. (Spanish)
More on this topic
January 2011
ICE plans to join forces with a telecom in order to compete locally and in other countries of the region.
Eduardo Doryan , President of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad, and Orlando Cascante, director of International Affairs, confirmed that the company, whom in the past had the monopoly of communications in Costa Rica, is looking for a partner with expertise in telecommunications to create an alliance that can compete effectively in the now open local market, and to initiate a process of internationalization by providing services in Central America.
March 2012
Thanks to a recent reform, the National Electricity Transmission Company (Enatrel) of Nicaragua can form associations with private companies for future optic network extensions.
As a step towards modernizing the electrical system and networking in the country, the Nicaraguan National Assembly has recently approved an amendment to Law 583, Law Creating the National Electricity Transmission Company (Enatrel).
March 2012
As legislative deadlines came and went, seven bills proposing updates to the electricity sector’s regulatory framework were shelved.
Plans to reform the electricity system have been postponed indefinitely following the expiry of the mandate of the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly’s special committee, whose members stopped convening last November, reported Elfinancierocr.com.
October 2011
The Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development is concerned about SIGET's intervention in the conflict between Italy's Enel and Lageo.
A statement by FUSADES reads:
Legal certainty in public procurement: Necessary element for the investment climate
The legal environment, legal certainty, clear rules and independent institutions are elements that every investor evaluates to measure the business climate in a country and decide whether to invest in it.
español
1895
