The high cost of medicines in Costa Rica has generated increased smuggling in unsafe conditions.
According to the Minister of Public Security of Costa Rica, Mario Zamora, "unfortunately the price of medicines in Costa Rica is much higher than the rest of Central America and this is creating a situation where smuggled goods are coming into the country."
The policy of immigration control of the government of Costa Rica does not match the realities imposed by recently signed trade agreements.
Miguel Miranda, owner of Mondaisa, was going to board a plane that would take him to Peru where he has business deals for exporting his products, however, because he lacked the visa that the country requires Costa Ricans to have, he had to postpone his trip, not having been aware of the requirement.
In only one year, seizures of cocaine have doubled, totaling over 15 tons with a U.S. market value of $2 billion.
Costa Rica, the Central American country noted for its economic development, its institutions, and social peace, is part of the land corridor where there is an increase in the operations of Mexican and Colombian cartels to transport drugs to the United States, the largest consumer of drugs in the world.
An understanding between authorities in Costa Rica and Panama to facilitate administrative procedures has allowed free passage for hundreds of trucks.
"... It was agreed that in Panama controls will be conducted at reasonable times so that inspections take as little time as possible, there is also a commitment to be able to pay the fines within 30 days or before leaving the country, in this regard there are plans to create a site for paying fines, which can be done by all Central Americans", reported Prensa.com.
The law enhances competitiveness and promotes a business climate in the country, says the government.
In order to strengthen legal certainty in the country and provide greater choices for enterprises to resolve trade disputes, the Government has approved the Law on International Arbitration, which shall take effect upon publication in the official newspaper La Gaceta.
The government will grant special visas to representatives of foreign companies in the country and to those interested in investing.
Through a decree signed by President Chinchilla and Ministers of Foreign Trade and Public Security, foreign business executives and investors may remain in the country with "temporary resident" visas.
This will benefit businessmen entering the country by making it a possibility for them to have their documents processed in an expedited manner and therefore speed up the establishment of their businesses.
A number of changes were introduced to improve how migratory flows are managed, and decrease their pressure on the public health system.
Law 8764 of Migration and Foreign Citizens, in effect since March 1st, 2010, requires all foreign citizens residing in Costa Rica to be registered at the Costa Rican Social Insurance Institute (CCSS). This measure would add 150.000 contributors to the social security system.
In Costa Rica, residence permits for foreign workers will be requested via Internet.
The new system shortens to 10 days the time required for the procedure, saving companies money.
Starting Tuesday, 4 companies will participate in the pilot plan, and there are 58 registered companies interested in using the system.
"In the web page, interested companies will have to register themselves and then include information and documents on the workers intending to reside in Costa Rica", wrote Hassel Fallas in Nacion.com.
With cooperation from the Japanese government, the construction of a new bridge between the towns of Santa Fe and Las Tablillas is being planned in order to integrate both areas.
The Director of Immigration in Costa Rica, Mario Zamora, explained to Elnuevodiario.com.ni: "This would give many advantages to Nicaraguan exporters because they would not have to go through the Central Valley.
Foreign business executives can now obtain visas and residence permits within Costa Rica, so cutting time and red tape in the process, according to Migration Department directive.
Previously they could only apply for the documents at Costa Rican consulates in their home countries, a process that many criticized as a great waste of time and expense.
Companies – which must be multinationals or be registered with the foreign trade authorities – can make the applications on their executives' behalf.