Canada - Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

Canada Free Trade Agreements (FTA's) - Free Trade Agreements (FTA) of Costa Rica

Course summary Canada - Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

The Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into force on 01 November 2002. The Canada-Costa Free Trade Agreement includes parallel cooperation agreements on environment and labour.

Canadian exporters will gain an important advantage over their principal competitors in the Costa Rican market, including U.S., European and Asian suppliers, as well as, ultimately, a level playing field with Costa Rica's other preferential trade partners such as Mexico and Chile.

The objectives of the Canada - Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are to:
(a) establish a free trade area in accordance with this Agreement;
(b) promote regional integration through an instrument that contributes to the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and to the progressive elimination of barriers to trade and investment;
(c) create opportunities for economic development;
(d) eliminate barriers to trade in, and facilitate the cross-border movement ofgoods between the territories of the Parties;
(e) increase substantially investment opportunities in the territories of the Parties;
(f) facilitate trade in services and investment with a view to developing and deepening the Parties’ relations under this Agreement;
(g) promote conditions of fair competition in the free trade area;
(h) establish a framework for further bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation to expand and enhance the benefits of this Agreement; and
(i) create effective procedures for the implementation and application of this Agreement, for its joint administration and for the resolution of disputes.

Costa Rica will eliminate its tariffs immediately on some 67% of its tariff lines, and over a period of up to 14 years for the remaining goods, while Canada will provide immediate duty free access for some 86% of its tariff lines, the remaining goods being subject to tariff elimination over a period of up to 8 years.

Bilateral merchandise trade reached $544.9 million in 2010. Merchandise exports totalled $108.8 million in 2010 and imports from Costa Rica were $436.1 million.

Costa Rica is Canada’s largest trading partner in Central America, accounting for 31% of Canada’s two-way merchandise trade with the region in 2010.

Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Costa Rica - Canada:

Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Costa Rica - Canada (Spanish):

Master International Business for Canadian Students

 Educational level: Continuing education / Executive education programs.