The lack of information about how membership has been negotiated and sensitivities presented by some sectors and products in comparison to their peers in the Pacific Alliance are part of the arguments used by agriculture and industry to oppose, at least under the current conditions, the incorporation of Costa Rica into the Alliance.

In addition, the commercial sector has a different viewpoint. In an article in Crhoy Francs Llobet, President of the Chamber of Commerce said: "Accession is a great achievement because 36% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Latin America is made up these four countries and it will allow us to access a larger market and we would be able to sell more to Asia-Pacific. Now we have to work on the modus operandi of the process and start negotiating as with any Free Trade Agreement. "

Juan Rafael Lizano, president of the National Chamber of Agriculture, said: "Our opposition to the Pacific Alliance will stay firm, unless the balance that was achieved for agricultural and fishery products in the negotiation of bilateral agreements with Chile, Mexico, Peru and Colombia is kept and there is no elimination of the protection and exclusion of sensitive products already agreed in bilateral negotiations with each of these countries."

Source: Crhoy.com

More on this topic

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The agricultural union is upholding its position against entering the block and has unlinked itself from the group consisting of other business chambers which is lobbying for accession.

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From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Chamber of Food Industries (CACIA):

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Costa Rica: Entry Into Pacific Alliance Under Consultation

October 2014

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