In Costa Rica a private consortium has proposed investing $50 million in the modernization of the port of Quepos, to transform it into a terminal with capacity to receive large cruise ships.
Authorities at the Costa Rican Institute of Ports of the Pacific (Incop) reported that the offer by the Costa Rican consortium CEPP Consultants LLC, which was put forward last Tuesday and will be analyzed starting from next week, and relates to a project be developed through the granting of a concession.
Industrialists are asking for inclusion in the Labour Code a 12 hour work day, and in cases in where the law permits, annualized hours.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Industries (ICRC):
July 2014. In the view of the ICRC establishing additional rules for working time in Costa Rican legislation represents an excellent option for generating higher quality employment opportunities, while at the same time allowing firms to improve their production levels.
Industrialists in Costa Rica have asked for the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje to be converted into a non-state public entity led by the sectors that fund it.
The proposal is part of an action plan to be submitted by employers from industry to government in the Congress on Industrial Policy, to be held on July 17 at the Crowne Corobicí hotel in San José.
The state run electricity company intends to archive projects in the energy reform sector, while the commission presided over by president Solis is going to take 18 months, just to discuss the country's energy matrix.
After the Solis government having announced the creation of a commission that will take a year and a half just to diagnose the problems of the energy sector in the country, the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad has made a request for three projects on law reforms being studied in the Legislature, to be archived while the commission seeks these solutions.
Businessmen from various sectors are complaining about lack of consensus and lack of information given to the private sector on the proposed elimination of tax breaks which the government is promoting.
More haste in implementing concrete measures to control the fiscal deficit and less analysis is recommended by many entrepreneurs in productive sectors, who also opposed a proposal to remove 200 tax breaks without being consulted on the implications for competitiveness of enterprises.
The industrial union is proposing the establishment of a lower rate band for those who consume electricity in off peak hours and a higher rate for use when demand is highest.
From a press release by the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (ICRC):
"... A mandatory electricity timerated tariff for all customers, is one of the measures that the Government is proposing to the ICRC in order to address the high cost of electricity in the country; an issue which has repeatedly has been identified as the main factor in the loss of competitiveness for the industry.
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.
The center-left candidate, Luis Guillermo Solís, would review the conditions to join the block if he wins on April 6th.
The presidential candidate of the Partido Acción Ciudadana, Luis Guillermo Solís, agrees with the industrial sector on the process of tariff reduction that Costa Rica would have to make in order to join the Pacific Alliance involves risks that should be considered carefully.
The Chamber of Industry perceives an "unusual secrecy" in progress toward an agreement that may seriously compromise the competitiveness of the sector.
The Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (ICRC) has asked the Government to explain the scope of commitments made with the signing of the adherence to the Pacific Alliance.
From a press release issued by the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica:
In a speech given to business leaders the presidential candidate Luis Guillermo Solis delivered a message of reassurance about economic development policies.
The presidential candidate for the Citizen Action Party met with a union of private companies in Costa Rica in order to send a message of peace and openness, should he obtain the votes needed in the April 6th election to assume the presidency.
The industrial sector in Costa Rica, a key factor in the creation of wealth outside the metropolitan area in the country, is asking for presidential candidates to focus on the issues that define the competitiveness of the national economy.
The main issues affecting the competitiveness of the real productive sectors of Costa Rica are:
- Very high electricity rates, because of "abuses and inefficiencies of utility operators."
The union for the sector is calling on the next government to review the management of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad and the creation of an Industrial Policy.
From a press release from the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (ICRC):
During its annual review and expectations for 2014, the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica, ICRC said that this year the sector maintained behavior marked by ups and downs, which began with a clear recessionary trend, which was then reversed from April.
There will be different quality certifications for rods which will facilitate their imports and trade in the construction sector.
The Costa Rican Chamber of Construction (CCC) and the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (ICRC) reached an agreement which allow regulations to come into effect which will control the quality of the rods. The technical regulation was issued by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC).
President Chinchilla has called on Congress to deal with the project for a law deemed essential by the industrial sector.
From a press release by the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (ICRC):
The Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica, welcomes the decision by the Government of the Republic, to convene the Electricity Contingency Act.
Industrialists reaffirmed that such a contingency exists, not because the country is suffering from blackouts, but because the energy that is needed is produced by diesel or bunker fuel and this is strongly affecting electricity rates.
The industry is proposing the creation of a National Promotion Agency for Innovation to promote competitiveness, employment, human development and the environment.
During the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (ICRC by its initials in Spanish) a proposal was made to develop an industrial policy from now through to 2030.
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