The rise in the polls of José María Villalta, presidential candidate of the Frente Amplio party in Costa Rica, sparks concern among businessmen.
The business sector of the country expressed concern after a poll carried out by Unimer showed that the leftist presidential candidate has, today, between 17% and 22% of voter intentions in the country.
Although the results of the survey have not yet outlined any of the candidates as a clear favorite, the rapid rise that Villalta has had has generated unrest among Costa Rican businessmen.
They recommend promoting improvements in areas such as legal certainty, procedures and infrastructure, in order to increase competitiveness and regain business confidence.
From a press release issued by the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Enterprises (Uccaep):
Confidence in the business sector fell 2% in the fourth quarter compared to the same period in 2012.
The 12 steps and 60 days that it took to start a business a year ago, have now been reduced to 9 steps that can be done within 24 days.
Nacion.com reports: "This improvement in opening a business is part of the actions undertaken by the Government to facilitate procedures and which has earned the country a jump of seven places in the ranks of the Doing Business 2014 report ...".
Business leaders from American countries have agreed to establish a business representation entity ahead of the Summit of Heads of State of the hemisphere.
From a press release issued by the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations in the Private Business Sector (UCCAEP):
The aim is to inform the Summit of Heads of State of the business sector's vision on issues such as free trade, infrastructure, and institutional competitiveness.