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Costa Rica: Entry Into Pacific Alliance Under Consultation

With opposition from agro-industry, the government has initiated the processes required to join the trade bloc, including a consultation period, which runs until the end of the year.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Entry into the block requires a greater commercial opening than that established in free trade treaties negotiated between Costa Rica and member countries, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile, which is why productive sectors such as agriculture and industry oppose it.

Juan Rafael Lizano, president of the National Chamber of Agriculture and Agribusiness (CNAA), told Nacion.com that "... A balance of bilateral FTAs with the four countries indicates that we have 72% access to 28% exceptions; with the Pacific Alliance it would be 92% access and 8% exceptions; which is why we disagree with it. "

Meanwhile, Foreign Trade Minister (COMEX) Alexander Mora added that "...In the accession process sensitivities may arise related to products which are technically proved, which will be presented and protected by members of the Pacific Alliance. "

Source: Nacion.com

Key entities

Alexander Mora Ministerio de Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica Rafael Lizano National Chamber of Agriculture and Agribusiness (Costa Rica) Alianza del Pacífico

Countries

Costa Rica Mexico Peru Colombia Chile

Insight

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Costa Rica: Agro Against Pacific Alliance

April 2015

While the government makes further assessments over joining the bloc, the agribusiness sectors is emphasizing the negative consequences of any renegotiation over tariffs.

Representatives from the agricultural sector argue that the country's entry into the Pacific Alliance will mean "...

Progress in Costa Rica's Entry into Pacific Alliance

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The government has announced the signing of the process of incorporation, while business associations oppose the increased tariff liberalization which will come from membership of the group.

As part of the agreement of incorporation into the block of Pacific Alliance tariffs must be eliminated on 92% of the products and the remaining 8% will be gradually removed.

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Making it clear that their international trade policies will be more protectionist than those of previous governments, the Solis administration has poured cold water on the accession to the group formed by Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile.

Editorial

This theme marks the differences within the government of President Luis Guillermo Solis.

Costa Rica: Pacific Alliance Divides Entrepreneurs

March 2014

The retail sector is looking favorably on accession to the bloc, but the agricultural and food industries are opposed to it.

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.