Costa Rica and Canada to expand trade agreement
Posted: Monday, June 18, 2012 - By Tico Times
Representatives from both countries met in San José last week.
Canada’s trade minister, Ed Fast, on Monday announced the
successful conclusion of a fourth round of negotiations to modernize the
Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement. Negotiations took place in San
José last week.
“To create new opportunities for Canadian workers, businesses and investors, we are working closely with our Costa Rican partners to modernize our agreement by removing more barriers to trade,” Fast said.
The original Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement entered into force in 2002 but did not include provisions in such areas as cross-border trade in services, financial services, investment and government procurement. An expanded agreement will create new opportunities for Canadian businesses and provide them with a competitive edge in many sectors, including construction, manufacturing, financial services and telecommunications, officials said.
Since 2006, Canada’s two-way merchandise trade with Central America has risen by 16.7 percent. Costa Rica accounted for 11.8 percent of Canada’s two-way merchandise trade with Central America in 2011.
Why invest in Costa Rica?
The first Costa-Rica thought most of us have, is about the enticing warm climate and the peace loving people. Well, other countries also have those attributes. When we want to make an investment, we consider the security of the investment. This thought leads to questions about the social and political environment of the country. Consider Costa Rica, this way:
Costa Rica is a democracy, has no military, and as a result, has been a peaceful, economically successful country for decades. The population is well educated due to compulsory education which has caused a literacy rate of 96%. In addition, there are 98 specialized schools and 56 universities. Healthcare in Costa Rica, is rapidly becoming a destination location for both medical and dental problems, due to virtues of quality and economy. Many international businesses have recognized the value of a Costa Rican investment. These include Intel, 3M, Walmart, Procter and Gamble and Sony.
At the most recent count, Costa Rica hosted the most tourists of any country in Central America. Over two million tourists arrive each year, and many choose to stay after falling in love with the ecological miracle of the Costa Rica Climate. Costa Rica has been a fierce supporter of the many ecosystems that sustain eco-tourism. Costa Rica has 5% of the world's biodiversity and has converted 29% of the country to parks and forest reserve.
International hotels have experienced growth in their investment in Costa Rica. These hotels include Four Seasons, Hilton, Carlton, RIU, Melia, Occidental, Marriott, Best Western and Barcelo, to name a few. The hotels also like the "Four Seasons" of enticing climate. If you want hot, go to the beach, then go to the mountains for a tropical alpine experience of cool breezes, hydrangeas and coffee plantations.
Costa Rica is on a wave for sail boat and yacht owners. The breezes are gentle, hurricanes always pass Costa Rica and touch land north of the border. Fishing is marvelous, ceviche on board made from freshly caught fish and shell fish is a local delicacy to be experienced. In addition to the marina approved at Punta Piedra Amarilla, other marinas are in operation at Los Sueños, Golfito, Papagayo, and a second is under construction at Quepos. Marinas are already fully leased, with waiting lists. With the attributes of the marina at Punta Pieadra Amarilla, could we expect that it would be fully leased in two years?
The infrastructure of Costa Rica is improved every year. Cell phone coverage is excellent, and most areas have high speed internet and wireless. Costa Rica is the country with the most "green" electrical power generation in the world. Eighty Five percent of the electrical power is produced by wind, hydroelectric or geothermal energy. Potable water is the rule.
Access to Costa Rica is excellent through international air terminals in San Jose and Liberia. Many airlines fly non-stop into Costa Rica. An excellent system of regional airports and airlines means that destinations can be reached easily all over Costa Rica. The national systems of roads is continually being improved. The most recent luxury is the new toll highway that courses through the hill country from San Jose, to the ferry landing on the way to Punta Piedra Amarilla, PLAYA TAMBOR'S NEWEST MARINA PROJECT, being developed by a Spanish / American company.
The best investment in Costa Rica is the human resource. There are over four million people who live in Costa Rica. Of these, 34% are between 15 and 34 years of age. They are well educated due to the excellent education system. You would like their energy and enthusiasm for life. You would like Costa Rica, we do.
Awards:
Some of the Awards earned by Costa Rica in recent times are:
The Safest Destination
The Central American Country of the Future
One of "Cleanest Countries in the World"
The most ethical tourist destination
What makes Playa Tambor so attractive?
Stunning Natural Beauty.
Safety. Although Costa Rica in general is a safe country, this area is especially so. Everyone knows everyone. The area is completely surrounded by Ocean being on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula and unspoiled by problems of large population centers.
The local airport, only a few kilometers from Punta Piedra Amarilla is serviced by several national airlines with many flights each day to the Capital of San Jose as well as other parts of the country.
Large Modern Ferry Service exists every few hours from Paquera to the modern new toll-way to San Jose. Plans are in process to open a new ferry route directly from Puerto Caldera directly to Punta Piedra Amarilla. When this is in place the entire trip from the international airport in San Jose will only be a few hours. Alternatively many people make the trip in only 30 minutes by taking one of the regional flights directly from San Jose.
The area is one of the best fishing grounds in the world. The bay is calm and perfect for all varieties of nautical activity. Nature abounds with Monkeys howling at sunrise. The area is full of mountains, waterfalls, rivers, forests, tropical islands, national parks and preserves. It is a true green paradise.
Located between two important commercial centers; Cobano and Paquera having banks, gas stations, supermarkets, hardware stores as well as medical facilities and business services.
Good Neighbors. The other hotels in the area, such as Barcelo Playa Tambor, Los Delfines, Tambor Tropical Resort, Hotel Costa Coral and Hotel Tango Mar all strive to maintain a green, ecologically sustainable environment.
Blue Flag Beaches. The beaches in the bay have "Blue Flag Status", an official recognition of their pristine and protected status.
Amenities such as golf, tennis, soccer, volley ball, nature trails, nature tours, equestrian are all available.
“To create new opportunities for Canadian workers, businesses and investors, we are working closely with our Costa Rican partners to modernize our agreement by removing more barriers to trade,” Fast said.
The original Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement entered into force in 2002 but did not include provisions in such areas as cross-border trade in services, financial services, investment and government procurement. An expanded agreement will create new opportunities for Canadian businesses and provide them with a competitive edge in many sectors, including construction, manufacturing, financial services and telecommunications, officials said.
Since 2006, Canada’s two-way merchandise trade with Central America has risen by 16.7 percent. Costa Rica accounted for 11.8 percent of Canada’s two-way merchandise trade with Central America in 2011.
Why invest in Costa Rica?
The first Costa-Rica thought most of us have, is about the enticing warm climate and the peace loving people. Well, other countries also have those attributes. When we want to make an investment, we consider the security of the investment. This thought leads to questions about the social and political environment of the country. Consider Costa Rica, this way:
Costa Rica is a democracy, has no military, and as a result, has been a peaceful, economically successful country for decades. The population is well educated due to compulsory education which has caused a literacy rate of 96%. In addition, there are 98 specialized schools and 56 universities. Healthcare in Costa Rica, is rapidly becoming a destination location for both medical and dental problems, due to virtues of quality and economy. Many international businesses have recognized the value of a Costa Rican investment. These include Intel, 3M, Walmart, Procter and Gamble and Sony.
At the most recent count, Costa Rica hosted the most tourists of any country in Central America. Over two million tourists arrive each year, and many choose to stay after falling in love with the ecological miracle of the Costa Rica Climate. Costa Rica has been a fierce supporter of the many ecosystems that sustain eco-tourism. Costa Rica has 5% of the world's biodiversity and has converted 29% of the country to parks and forest reserve.
International hotels have experienced growth in their investment in Costa Rica. These hotels include Four Seasons, Hilton, Carlton, RIU, Melia, Occidental, Marriott, Best Western and Barcelo, to name a few. The hotels also like the "Four Seasons" of enticing climate. If you want hot, go to the beach, then go to the mountains for a tropical alpine experience of cool breezes, hydrangeas and coffee plantations.
Costa Rica is on a wave for sail boat and yacht owners. The breezes are gentle, hurricanes always pass Costa Rica and touch land north of the border. Fishing is marvelous, ceviche on board made from freshly caught fish and shell fish is a local delicacy to be experienced. In addition to the marina approved at Punta Piedra Amarilla, other marinas are in operation at Los Sueños, Golfito, Papagayo, and a second is under construction at Quepos. Marinas are already fully leased, with waiting lists. With the attributes of the marina at Punta Pieadra Amarilla, could we expect that it would be fully leased in two years?
The infrastructure of Costa Rica is improved every year. Cell phone coverage is excellent, and most areas have high speed internet and wireless. Costa Rica is the country with the most "green" electrical power generation in the world. Eighty Five percent of the electrical power is produced by wind, hydroelectric or geothermal energy. Potable water is the rule.
Access to Costa Rica is excellent through international air terminals in San Jose and Liberia. Many airlines fly non-stop into Costa Rica. An excellent system of regional airports and airlines means that destinations can be reached easily all over Costa Rica. The national systems of roads is continually being improved. The most recent luxury is the new toll highway that courses through the hill country from San Jose, to the ferry landing on the way to Punta Piedra Amarilla, PLAYA TAMBOR'S NEWEST MARINA PROJECT, being developed by a Spanish / American company.
The best investment in Costa Rica is the human resource. There are over four million people who live in Costa Rica. Of these, 34% are between 15 and 34 years of age. They are well educated due to the excellent education system. You would like their energy and enthusiasm for life. You would like Costa Rica, we do.
Awards:
Some of the Awards earned by Costa Rica in recent times are:
The Safest Destination
The Central American Country of the Future
One of "Cleanest Countries in the World"
The most ethical tourist destination
What makes Playa Tambor so attractive?
Stunning Natural Beauty.
Safety. Although Costa Rica in general is a safe country, this area is especially so. Everyone knows everyone. The area is completely surrounded by Ocean being on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula and unspoiled by problems of large population centers.
The local airport, only a few kilometers from Punta Piedra Amarilla is serviced by several national airlines with many flights each day to the Capital of San Jose as well as other parts of the country.
Large Modern Ferry Service exists every few hours from Paquera to the modern new toll-way to San Jose. Plans are in process to open a new ferry route directly from Puerto Caldera directly to Punta Piedra Amarilla. When this is in place the entire trip from the international airport in San Jose will only be a few hours. Alternatively many people make the trip in only 30 minutes by taking one of the regional flights directly from San Jose.
The area is one of the best fishing grounds in the world. The bay is calm and perfect for all varieties of nautical activity. Nature abounds with Monkeys howling at sunrise. The area is full of mountains, waterfalls, rivers, forests, tropical islands, national parks and preserves. It is a true green paradise.
Located between two important commercial centers; Cobano and Paquera having banks, gas stations, supermarkets, hardware stores as well as medical facilities and business services.
Good Neighbors. The other hotels in the area, such as Barcelo Playa Tambor, Los Delfines, Tambor Tropical Resort, Hotel Costa Coral and Hotel Tango Mar all strive to maintain a green, ecologically sustainable environment.
Blue Flag Beaches. The beaches in the bay have "Blue Flag Status", an official recognition of their pristine and protected status.
Amenities such as golf, tennis, soccer, volley ball, nature trails, nature tours, equestrian are all available.
