The vagueness of the Solis administration regarding the integration of Costa Rica into the Pacific Alliance has provoked negative reactions from business associations.
EDITORIAL
The country's entry into the Commercial alliance composed of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru would represent a very important change for the economy of Costa Rica, a change that sectors producing goods and services would have to integrate into their strategic plans, which is why they need clear signals regarding what will happen.
Employers indicate that taking the dispute to an arbitration panel will cost many millions of dollars and will result in indemnization payments, as it is clear that trade agreements and phytosanitary standards were breached.
The announcement by the Mexican authorities to take Costa Rica to a World Trade Organization (WTO) arbitration panel because of the dispute over avocados, has caused concern among employers who are members of the Chamber of Exporters and Importers of Perishable Goods (Ceipp).
Very dark is the future of a country where the rulers do not lift their gaze beyond the few years of the mandate conferred on them by citizens.
EDITORIAL
The president of Costa Rica prefers short-term actions to address the fiscal crisis, while leaving open the tap of privileged public wages by which the future of the nation drowns through.
It is clear that immediate measures need to be taken such as reducing tax evasion and smuggling, and cutting abusive pensions. And it is quite possible that in order to maintain the rule of law taxes also need to be raised. But not closing, RIGHT NOW the growing cascade of state payroll costs that is multiplying every year, means mortgaging the future of the Costa Rican economy. However, president Solis postpones dealing with the topic, because its impact would be felt "only after 15 or 18 years."
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.
Citi Financial Group is expanding operations at its shared service center in the country, where it caters for operations of the corporation at a global level.
From a press release issued by Citi:
CITI EXPANDS OPERATIONS WITH OPENING OF "CAMPUS CITI"
The President of Costa Rica Luis Guillermo Solis joined Citi in the official opening of its new facilities.