In the last ten years, exports from Costa Rica to countries in the European Union grew from $840 million in 2007, to $1.678 billion in the third quarter of this year.
Medical devices, bananas, pineapples, and coffee are some of the products responsible for most of the growth in exports to European countries in recent years. For example, as of September of this year, Procomer figures indicate that "... the European Continent represented 22% of sales this third quarter, with a total of US $1.753 billion (+ US $146 million). Among the main drivers, were: banana, with exports to Belgium, the United Kingdom and Ukraine; medical devices, which boosted exports to Belgium and the Netherlands; as well as greater exports of pineapples to Portugal and coffee to the Netherlands." See "Costa Rica: Foreign trade figures as of September 2017"
Hass avocados from Mexico can be imported in containers, provided that they come certified as fruit containers that are free from the sunspot disease or from areas certified as free.
The proposal put forward by the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE) to the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures at the WTO, where the conflict between Costa Rica and Mexico is being resolved, establishes that the fruit may be imported in any of three circumstances: the fruit is sent with a certificate that guarantees that it does not have sunspot, with a certificate that comes from areas free of the disease, or where there is compliance with rules agreed bilaterally by the two countries.
While Honduras and Guatemala are already advancing in the process of customs unification and Nicaragua and El Salvador have joined as observers, in Costa Rica it is thought that full union will only be completed between 2023 and 2025.
The fact that the countries in the region are implementing the processes necessary to achieve Customs Union at different speeds makes the full union of all systems and full opening of borders for the free transit of goods still a distant goal.
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.
Competing with multinationals under DR-CAFTA requires companies to comply with all the necessary processes to protect their brands, processes and products.
The arrival of multinational companies in Central America competing in legal equality with local or regional firms as a result of DR-CAFTA, highlights gaps in legal implementation and best practices for business on issues such as the protection of trademarks and intellectual property.
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.
It has been announced that the location of the planned special economic zone, which will be financed and built by China, will be decided in the third quarter of 2016.
The eight cantons in the area of the central Pacific which according to the Ministry of Foreign Trade have the necessary conditions to host a special economic zone are Garabito, Aguirre, Esparza, Orotina, Puntarenas, Montes de Oro, Parrita and San Mateo.
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.
The Canadian firm Infinito Gold has ceased operations and requested the temporary suspension of arbitration against Costa Rica over the failed concession of the Crucitas gold mine.
The cessation of business operations due to lack of financial resources, announced in mid-July, when all its directors and managers resigned, could be the main reason for the decision to request the temporary suspension of the proceedings against Costa Rica over the Crucitas gold mine, for which $94 million was demanded for violations of the agreement for the promotion and protection of investments between Costa Rica and Canada.
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.