The report, which was previously approved by the Commission on International Relations and Human Mobility, highlights that the ratification of the agreement will generate a 10 percent growth in current exports to Costa Rica.

According to the document, that would generate an income of 2.9 million dollars, improve the competitiveness of canned and preserved fish, metal manufactures, wooden boards, medicines, shrimp, white goods, porcelain and sanitary ceramics and leather, among other items.

The agreement excludes products such as beef, dairy products, pineapple, cassava, sugar, unroasted coffee, among others included in Costa Rica’s main export items.

In March 2023, the president of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves, and then-president of Ecuador Guillermo Lasso signed the treaty, whcih both countries considered at that time a milestone for the bilateral relationship.

The Constitutional Court has a favorable opinion on the instrument, after it was asked in August 2023 to renegotiate some points, which were later corrected in November.

The approval of the Assembly is necessary for the entry into force of the agreement.

mh/llp/npg/avr