The new site will operate in Seoul on the same premises currently occupied by the Embassy of Costa Rica in China.
From a statement issued by PROCOMER:
Seoul, Korea, October 13, 2016.With an eye to opening up new business opportunities for domestic exporters, the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) inaugurated on Thursday a new office in the capital city of Korea, Seoul.With this new sales representation in addition to the existing ones, there are 41 offices around the world which continue to support the efforts of Costa Rican internationalization.
The Nicaraguan side is all ready for cargo transported to and from the port of Limón to save 250 kilometers, but the poor condition of a section of road in Costa Rica is preventing it.
The idea for the construction of the bridge over the San Juan River within the territory of Nicaragua, was to speed up freight between that country and the ports in Limon, on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.
Approval of the investment protection agreement between the two countries would facilitate installation in the country of 18 Chinese companies who have shown interest in setting up here.
The delay in approving the law approving the agreement for the promotion and protection of investments between China and Costa Rica was the main reason for the non-realization of the plans of six companies that intended to invest in the country, according to Minister of Foreign Trade Alexander Mora. These companies are part of an initial list of eighteen Chinese companies who have been in negotiations for more than a year.
An announcement has been made that in the coming days a delegation from the phytosanitary authority of Mexico will arrive in San Jose to discuss the ban on entry of Mexican avocados.
The government is waiting for more technical studies and analyzing the effects it would have on local production if entry of goods and services from Chile, Peru, Mexico and Colombia were fully liberalized .
Although the previous Chinchilla administration had taken firm steps to join the trade bloc, the current President Solis, has cooled down the process, which in order to continue must wait for the Ministry of Foreign Trade to complete further studies on commercial sensitivity, and later present them for public consultation.
Non-tariff restrictions applied by the Ministry of Agriculture put into practice its ultra protectionist philosophy, contradicting what the Ministry of Foreign Trade is doing, generating shortages and distorting the market.
An article in Nacion.com reports on how the Minister of Foreign Trade (Comex), Alexander Mora, "... criticized the lack of advanced warning from partner countries of Costa Rica, regarding recent sanitation blockages that prevent products being imported in those markets. "
The ministries of foreign trade of both countries has confirmed that as of June 1 goods and services may be sold under the terms of the agreement.
During May some administrative adjustments will be made, so that from June trade can be made directly between the two countries. The products that are exported from Costa Rica to Jamaica are bottles and glass containers, food preparations, preserves, sauces, medicines and cardboard boxes.
The South Korean government has proposed to Central American countries that they resume negotiations to sign a free trade agreement.
During a meeting between officials of the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica and the deputy minister, Moon Jaedo, of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (Motie) of South Korea, it was requested "... that the Central American countries evaluate opening up a process of negotiation for a free trade agreement. "
Within the Economic Council of Government Luis Guillermo Solís' ministers are divided with some favoring openness to international trade, and others wanting to protect vulnerable sectors.
The Ministry of Foreign Trade, which is in favor of accession, argues that there are free trade agreements with member countries of the Alliance, meaning that they would only be strengthening commercial ties.
Foreign sales of electronics and the electrical sector fell by 19%, 3.6% in the food industry, 2.4% in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, 9.2% in textiles, 7% in paper and cardboard, and 1.8% in rubber.
At the end of 2014 exports from the industrial sector amounted to $8.389 million representing $382 million less than in 2013, when revenues were $8.771 billion.
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.
Arbitrators working under the framework of DR-CAFTA have ruled that Costa Rican exports within this trade agreement in El Salvador should receive the tariff preferences provided for in the text.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica (COMEX):
Defending the interests of the country as part of the effective administration of the treaty
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.
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.
An announcement has been made that operation permits will be extended to 18 companies already operating under the scheme and licenses granted to four new firms who will enter the scheme in the short term.
According to indications made by the president Luis Guillermo Solis to AmeliaRueda.com, 22 decrees have been signed which "... relate to expanding and awarding new licenses to these companies ...
The new Solís administration will focus on attracting foreign investment in rural areas far from the capital in activities related to the agricultural sector.
Giving a significant twist to the policy of attracting FDI so far implemented in the country, the ministry of foreign trade is focusing its efforts on attracting companies to invest in areas far away from the greater metropolitan area and in areas linked to agribusiness.