As soon as the current President Oscar Arias was elected President he created a vital position within his party for a Production Minister, who was to oversee his Production Ministry (MIPRO). With the up and coming referendum on whether to accept or deny the CAFTA free trade agreement with the US, Agriculture has recently be highlighted by the Government and by Farmers.

Rice growers are particulary concerned as they feel that as soon as CAFTA is passed foreign rice growers will out price the Costa Rican rice market and they will no longer have any jobs. One of Arias's solutions was to create a small farmers bank where they could easily get loans and help. However it appears that the reality of the situtation could make it harder for small farmers to get the help they need. It has recerntly been highlighted in Guatemala that the amount of imports from the US was overwhelming compared to Guatemala's exports after their free trade agreement was approved.

The big question that Costa Rica has to ask itself is 'Is this an attempt by the US to expand their industries and take over control of Central America?'.

Farmers and Agricultural leaders have compalined and stated that this government has no policy and agriculture and it is meddling in areas that it has no expertise.

The Costa Rican Government states that with the help of CAFTA agriculture should grow by 20% annually and mnake 500 jobs a year. However the people with Agriculture see the opposite.

Check back next week for further updates.

Free Trade Zones have been a great way for the Costa Rican Government to attract news business and much needed jobs. With a highly skilled and good English speaking population Costa Rica has seen much succes in these areas from such companies as HP and Intel. It is hoped that this new Park will bring over $60m in investments and jobs to Costa Rica

This new park is called Techno Park and current companies there are Levi's and Hanes. One of the reasons for this new development is the move to more specialised labour in Costa Rica and the attraction this has to foreign companies.