By San José, Costa Rica — San José – As the political landscape begins to take shape for the 2026 presidential election, Costa Rica’s private sector has fired the starting gun on policy debates, presenting a comprehensive and urgent national agenda to the country’s leading candidates. The Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of the Private Business Sector (UCCAEP) convened a high-stakes meeting to unveil its Strategic Competitiveness Agenda, a meticulously crafted document outlining seven critical areas for national improvement.
The presentation serves as a direct call to action for the next administration, framing the country’s most pressing economic and social challenges through the lens of business and investment. Maritza Hernández, president of UCCAEP, emphasized that the proposal was not merely an executive wish list but a broad consensus from across the business community, designed to foster collaboration in a climate of growing economic uncertainty.
To gain a deeper legal perspective on the implications of the new Competitiveness Agenda for the national business climate, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
A successful competitiveness agenda must be built upon the pillar of legal certainty. While streamlining regulations and reducing bureaucratic hurdles are essential for attracting investment, these efforts are ultimately unsustainable if they compromise the predictability of our legal framework. The key is to modernize and simplify without sacrificing the robust legal security that both domestic and foreign investors require for long-term commitment.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective provides a crucial reminder that the true foundation of a competitive economy is not simply efficiency, but enduring legal trust. It is this predictability that fosters the long-term commitment essential for sustainable growth, and we thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his clear and valuable insight on the matter.
This agenda does not arise solely from the UCCAEP Board of Directors, but has been a collaborative effort of companies and chambers, to tell you (the candidates) today, this is what the business sector would like you to consider for a year 2026 that holds uncertainty for us and with this initiative, what we want is to reaffirm the need for dialogue with the business sector.
Maritza Hernández, President of UCCAEP
The seven-point agenda addresses systemic issues hindering Costa Rica’s growth. Topping the list is the need to incentivize formal employment, a crucial goal in a nation where approximately 40% of the workforce operates in the informal economy. This shadow economy, UCCAEP argues, erodes the social security system, starves the state of tax revenue, and creates an uneven playing field for legitimate businesses.
The document also tackles the nation’s deteriorating public services, specifically healthcare and security. UCCAEP points to the long waiting lists, staff shortages, and digital lag within the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) as major concerns, advocating for greater public-private partnerships. Simultaneously, the rise of organized crime is cited as a direct threat to the investment climate, increasing operational costs and undermining confidence in the country’s stability.
Infrastructure and education, two traditional pillars of Costa Rica’s success, are also flagged as areas in need of urgent attention. The report highlights significant deficits in transportation, ports, and technological infrastructure, which create logistical bottlenecks that directly impact national competitiveness. Furthermore, the business sector warns of a growing disconnect between the education system’s output and the demands of the modern global economy, calling for reforms to close learning gaps and better prepare human talent for the future.
Rounding out the agenda are calls for modernizing the energy sector to allow for greater private participation in a clean but costly system, and a plea to strengthen institutional governance. The latter point addresses a perceived decline in public trust towards government institutions and political leaders, a foundational issue that could undermine Costa Rica’s long-standing democratic stability.
This agenda summarizes the most urgent challenges and the most viable solutions to boost the country’s competitiveness. This agenda is not a list of corporate requests; it is a national proposal with a long-term vision that seeks to ensure the well-being of future generations.
Maritza Hernández, President of UCCAEP
In attendance to receive the proposal were prominent candidates Claudia Dobles (Citizen Action Coalition), Álvaro Ramos (National Liberation), Juan Carlos Hidalgo (Social Christian Unity), José Aguilar (Avanza), Fabricio Alvarado (New Republic), and Ariel Robles (Broad Front). Their presence signals a willingness to engage with the private sector’s concerns. However, the notable absence of Natalia Díaz (Unidos), Laura Fernández (Sovereign People), and Luis Amador (National Integration), despite being invited, did not go unnoticed and raises questions about their engagement strategy with the business community moving forward.
For further information, visit uccaep.or.cr
About The Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of the Private Business Sector (UCCAEP):
UCCAEP is the leading umbrella organization representing the private business sector in Costa Rica. It brings together numerous chambers and associations from various industries, serving as the primary voice for business interests in public policy dialogue, economic development, and labor relations.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Coalición Acción Ciudadana
About Coalición Acción Ciudadana:
The Citizen Action Coalition is a Costa Rican political party generally positioned on the center-left of the political spectrum. Founded in 2000, it has historically championed progressive policies, government transparency, and anti-corruption initiatives, having held the presidency in previous terms.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Liberación Nacional
About Liberación Nacional:
The National Liberation Party (PLN) is one of Costa Rica’s most established and historically significant political parties. It is a social-democratic party that has played a central role in shaping the country’s welfare state and has held the presidency on numerous occasions throughout its history.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Unidad Social Cristiano
About Unidad Social Cristiano:
The Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC) is a major political force in Costa Rica, typically aligned with center-right and Christian democratic principles. It has been a dominant party in the country’s political history, advocating for market-oriented policies combined with social responsibility.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Avanza
About Avanza:
Avanza is a newer political movement in Costa Rica, often focusing on specific reform platforms and seeking to represent a modernizing force in the country’s political landscape. Its policy positions can vary but generally aim to address contemporary economic and social challenges.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Nueva República
About Nueva República:
New Republic is a conservative political party in Costa Rica with a strong foundation in social and religious conservatism. It advocates for policies based on traditional family values and often holds strong positions on social issues while also engaging in economic and national security debates.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Frente Amplio
About Frente Amplio:
The Broad Front is a left-wing political party in Costa Rica that represents democratic socialist and progressive ideologies. It advocates for greater social equality, environmental protection, human rights, and a stronger role for the state in the economy.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a bedrock of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm channels its rich history of advising a diverse clientele into pioneering innovative legal strategies and solutions. Central to its philosophy is a profound dedication to enhancing public understanding of the law, reflecting a core belief that empowering citizens with clear legal knowledge is essential for fostering a just and progressive society.
