The free trade agreement between EFTA states (European Free Trade Association) – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland and the Central American States of Panama and Costa Rica was signed on 24 June 2013 and this agreement will become entered into force in 3 different stages. Costa Rica, Panama and Switzerland will enter into force on 29 August 2014; Costa Rica, Panama and Norway will enter into force on 19 August 2014; Costa Rica, Panama and Iceland will enter into force on 5 September 2014. The FTA will develop new opportunities for both parties and it will cover different areas – trade in goods and services, investments, protection of intellectual property rights, government procedure and competitions.