Number: RL32322
Title: Central America and the Dominican Republic in the Context of the Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) with the United States
Authors: K Larry Storrs, Clare Ribando, Lenore Sek, Mark P. Sullivan, Maureen Taft-Morales, and Connie Veillette, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: This report explains the conditions in five countries in Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and one country in the Caribbean (Dominican Republic) that will be partners with the United States in the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) signed in August 2004. All of the signatory countries except Costa Rica have approved the pact. The agreement will enter into force for the approving countries on an agreed date, tentatively January 1, 2006. In U.S. approval action, the House and Senate passed the required implementing legislation (H.R. 3045) on July 27 and 28, 2005, and the President signed it into law (P.L. 109-53) on August 2, 2005.
Pages: 77
Date: October 24, 2005