It's the Law.

MEDICINE & HEALTH

Mexico's new anti-smoking legislation bars cigarettes in workplaces and public facilities and regulates tobacco marketing.

www.ssa.gob.mx

BANKING & SECURITIES

Mexico modifies its retirement fund rules, altering the procedures for obtaining Department of Treasury permission to operate as fund administrators and fund investment societies. The changes also limit capitalization rates and commissions charged by the administrators.

www.shcp.gob.mx

Brazil's securities commission repeals a measure that says the registration of a company for its securities to be negotiated over the counter does not constitute authorization of stock exchange transactions.

www.pinheironeto.com.br

CUSTOMS

United States finalizes Nafta parity for textiles from the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean Basin Initiative countries. The Dominican Republic predicts the tariff relief will bring US$ 1 billion in revenues to the region through 2004. www.thomas.loc.gov Mexico sets tariff quotas under free trade agreements with Costa Rica covering cocoa and deboned beef cuts and, with Chile, for apples, cheese, grains and alfalfa. The quotas also affect Mexican avocados and honey sent to Costa Rica.

www.secofi.gov.mx; www.naftaworks.org/downdof/dof2000.htm

Mexico, triggering Nafta provisions, adds a 20% tariff to coffee products from the United States.

www.naftaworks.org; www.secofi.gob.mx

FOREIGN INVESTMENT

The United States approves bilateral treaties with Bolivia, El Salvador and Honduras, entitling investors to free transfers of capital, profits and royalties.

www.ustr.gov/releases/2000/10/00-73.html

GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

The Department of Justice of Mexico will create a special unit to combat money laundering.

www.pgr.gob.mx

SOURCE: National Law center for Inter-American Free Trade TransLegal Inc.