Why has Costa Rica entered into a free-trade agreement with CARICOM countries like Jamaica?
I believe it is important for regions to find a way to trade and have more economic arrangements. Costa Rica can supply the Caribbean with a variety of fresh produce, and is already doing that with some countries. The trade with Jamaica has been very good; our trade promotion agency has good relations with its Jamaican counterpart. Since the agreement with Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), trade has grown 300 per cent both ways. For example, insurance companies from T&T are operating in Costa Rica, and we have increased our output to them. With Jamaica being a larger economy in terms of population, and with tourism so significant, there are a lot of opportunities for Costa Rica to trade here. I think it is very important for Jamaican producers and business people to get to know the Central American market. One way to do this is through Costa Rica, and we already have a trade agreement. The Central American market is more than 40 million people. The United States exports more to Central Americ
