The Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (ICRC) released a report on the Government’s actions and assured that it is in debt with the sector. ICRC criticized the government’s refusal to reduce electricity rates, the lack of modernization of border posts and the absence of an innovation agency.
On the other hand, the ICRC highlighted the achievements of 2016, such as the negotiation of the Free Trade Agreement with South Korea and the approval of the Entrepreneurship Attention Strategy and Innovation in the System of Development Banking.
It is also noteworthy the approval of 4 laws for the rationalization of pension schedules.
Although the sector grew in production and exports in 2016, that growth was concentrated in the free zone regime. As consequence, employment grew very little,
declared Enrique Egloff, president of the ICRC.
For the industry sector, in 2017 there could be similar or lower growth, due to factors that will appear next year: electoral climate and changes in the United States’ trade, investment and immigration policies.