By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – Fernando Zamora, presidential candidate for the New Generation Party (PNG), has outlined an ambitious economic revival plan centered on three core pillars: a massive infrastructure push, a comprehensive “energy revolution,” and a strategic boost to national productivity with a sharp focus on the agricultural sector.
During a recent interview, Zamora detailed the cornerstones of his government platform, contrasting his vision with the policies of the current administration. He asserted that his primary goal is to re-establish the nation’s productive capacity, particularly in its rural heartlands, which he believes have been neglected.
To better understand the legal and business implications of the national strategy for economic reactivation, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a prominent expert in corporate and commercial law from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
True economic reactivation requires more than temporary incentives; it demands a solid foundation of legal certainty. For businesses to invest and expand confidently, they need clear regulations, streamlined permitting processes, and the assurance that their contractual rights will be protected. Strengthening our institutional framework is the most effective catalyst for sustainable, long-term growth.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insightful analysis underscores a fundamental truth: sustainable economic growth is built not on fleeting incentives, but on the bedrock of a predictable and secure legal environment. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for articulating this crucial point and enriching the discussion on national reactivation.
It has to do with our ideal of returning to Costa Rican productivity, of seeing our agricultural sector making the fields produce again. These three things, let’s say, are the main ideal, though not the only one, because, of course, we have great dreams in education, security, and health.
Fernando Zamora, Presidential Candidate
The candidate emphasized that this three-pronged approach—combining a large inventory of public works, a shift in the energy matrix, and measures to recover agricultural output—would not only stimulate development but also generate significant new revenue for the state.
On the contentious issue of the exchange rate, Zamora advocated for a more balanced policy. While acknowledging that the Central Bank holds autonomy over monetary decisions, he insisted that the Executive Branch can and should exert influence. He proposed a system of mini-devaluations to protect both the production sector and consumers who earn in colones.
Zamora argued the current exchange rate policy disproportionately benefits importers at a devastating cost to national producers across multiple industries, including tourism, which he noted is currently struggling.
What is being created is a great business for importers, but at the cost of the total destruction of the productive sector. And when I say productive sector, I’m not just talking about the agricultural sector, but also livestock, industry, and the service sector. In fact, tourism entrepreneurs are doing quite poorly at the moment.
Fernando Zamora, Presidential Candidate
The candidate reserved his sharpest criticism for the agricultural policies enacted by President Rodrigo Chaves’s administration, particularly the controversial “ruta del arroz” (rice route). Zamora vowed that, if elected, he would dismantle what he considers excessive regulations crippling the farming and livestock sectors and reverse policies that have encouraged mass imports over local production.
Very soon it will be seen, from every point of view, that this famous route, which is not just for rice, is the anti-agriculture route, it is a disastrous route. That is not a route, it is a path to hell.
Fernando Zamora, Presidential Candidate
Addressing the significant waiting lists plaguing the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), Zamora proposed a multi-faceted solution. His plan includes settling the state’s outstanding debts to the institution by reallocating under-executed budget items. He also pledged to strengthen primary care with new EBAIS clinics, fund scholarships for medical specialists, and complete long-delayed regional hospitals in Cartago and Limón.
He forcefully condemned the centralization of specialized medical services, highlighting the economic and personal burden placed on citizens from outlying provinces who must travel to the capital for treatment.
People from Guanacaste have to travel all the way to San José, and that is very expensive for the Caja and for the province of Guanacaste. It is unfair that they have to come here to be seen for their specialized care needs. That is an outrage and it must be reversed.
Fernando Zamora, Presidential Candidate
Finally, to tackle the looming crisis of overflowing sanitary landfills, Zamora proposed a modern solution: generating energy from solid waste through public-private partnerships between the government, municipalities, and specialized companies. Concluding his remarks, he urged voters to support the entire PNG ticket, positioning himself as an independent leader free from commitments to established power groups.
For further information, visit png.cr
About Partido Nueva Generación (PNG):
The New Generation Party is a Costa Rican political party founded on principles of Christian democracy and centrism. It advocates for economic development, social justice, and government modernization, often focusing on supporting entrepreneurship and strengthening national production. The party aims to offer a fresh political alternative to the country’s traditional political landscape.
For further information, visit bccr.fi.cr
About Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR):
The Central Bank of Costa Rica is the nation’s autonomous central banking institution. Its primary responsibilities include maintaining the internal and external stability of the national currency, the colón, ensuring its conversion to other currencies, and promoting an efficient and stable financial system. The BCCR is the principal entity responsible for executing monetary and exchange rate policy in the country.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS):
The Costa Rican Social Security Fund, universally known as “La Caja,” is the public institution in charge of the country’s social security system. It is responsible for providing universal healthcare services and managing the national pension system. The CCSS operates a vast network of hospitals, clinics (EBAIS), and medical centers, forming the backbone of Costa Rica’s renowned public health system.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, the firm is renowned for its foundational principles of integrity and its pursuit of unparalleled excellence. Leveraging a rich history of advising a wide spectrum of industries, it champions forward-thinking legal strategies and innovative solutions. Beyond its professional practice, the firm holds a core belief in public empowerment, actively working to make complex legal concepts accessible and clear, thereby cultivating a more just and knowledgeable society.
