Because of the lower-than-projected volume of cargo shipped on the September and October services, the maritime route between Port Moin and Shanghai was suspended.
One year after the start-up of operations of the maritime terminal in Costa Rica, businessmen recognize that efficiency has improved, but insist that there should be a reduction in tariffs.
In Costa Rica, exporters and businessmen of the tourism sector are concerned about the decreasing trend that in recent months has reported the exchange rate, which on July 18 was quoted at ¢575.7 per dollar.
Official figures report that between early February and mid-July of this year, there has been a fall of up to 38 colones per dollar, as the average rate in the Monex wholesale market fell from ¢613.87 to ¢575.69.
During the first three months of the year, sales of Costa Rican goods abroad totaled $2.757 million, just 0.5% above the $2.744 million reported as of March 2018.
The most updated data of the Foreign Trade Promoter (Procomer) specify that from January to March of this year the exports of companies in free trade zones registered a 12% year-on-year increase, and in the case of foreign sales of products in final regime fell 9%.
The increase in Costa Rican exports during 2018 was mainly due to the performance of the 187 companies in the free zone, in contrast to the almost zero growth reported by companies exporting under the traditional scheme.
Figures from the Foreign Trade Promoter of Costa Rica (Procomer) detail that last year Costa Rica's exports totaled $11.312 million, 6% more than that recorded in 2017.
The complex economic and political situation that has affected Nicaragua since April continues to affect Central America, where exporters report losses of $45 million.
In the past months, cargo transport faced difficulties in moving goods along Nicaragua's highways due to demonstrators' blockades and insecurity, seriously affecting Central American companies.
In Costa Rica, the productive activity of agricultural goods destined for domestic consumption has been stayed low in recent years, despite the fact that most benefit from the protection afforded by the tariffs imposed on imports of some similar goods.
Entrepreneurs from Costa Rica are paying attention to what is happening in its neighboring country, where 90% of Costa Rican exports to Central America are transported by land.
In a statement, the union of exporters noted that "... As representatives of the export sector, we are concerned about the transit of goods to the rest of the Central American region, which receives more than $2.3 billion in Costa Rican products.This considering that more than 90% of exports to Central America are made by land and that Nicaragua, as well as being a destination for our exports, is also our gateway to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador".
Lack of electricity and logistics and storage problems at Floridian ports are complicating exports from Central America, especially for perishable goods.
Difficulties faced at ports in Florida and Puerto Rico are affecting the region's exporters, who are looking for alternatives so that their shipments are not affected.
Added to the factors already deteriorating competitiveness in the export sector are increased thefts of merchandise on the country's roads and infiltration of drug trafficking in exports.
The National Chamber of Cargo Carriers (Canatrac) reports that attacks on trucks on roads in the country have increased since 2012.They state "... on average 12 assaults used to be committed per year, however the figure has risen to 20 in recent years'."
Between January and August free zone companies, which enjoy exemptions, increased their exports by 13% compared to the same period in 2015, while exports from definitive arrangements only rose by 1%.
From a statement issued by Cadexco:
San Jose, 22 September 2016.Exports of goods accumulated up to August amounted to USD $6.634 billion, which is 6% higher compared to the same period last year.
Another case of drugs found in cargo which came from Costa Rica highlights the imperative need to improve controls and implement the use of scanners at export ports.
In Costa Rica scanners donated by China in 2008 remain unused, while exporting businesses are warning of the growing infiltration of drug trafficking in the sector.
Using scanners at the ports of Limon and reactivating inspection mechanisms that were used before to control cargo in containers, are part of the measures the agro-export sector is asking of the government in order to identify potential drugs hidden in shipments of merchandise.
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