Private Industry  Supports Arias Quick Action in Limón
"Opportune and on target" were the words of Jack Liberman, president of the Cámara de Industrias de Costa Rica (industrial chamber of commerce), on president Oscar Arias' action to return dock operations to normal in Limón and without incident.

"We agree fully with the government that the rhythm of movement cannot be stopped at the ports like Limón", said Liberman.

The workerso of the Junta de Administración Portuaria y de Desarrollo Económico para la Vertiente Atlántica (Japdeva) began a work to rule on Monday that quickly turned to a work slowdown by Tuesday and required police intervention by Thursday to open the ports to the hundres of tractor trailers loaded with, for the most part, fresh produce to be loaded on to ships for export.

According to figures released bythe Cámara de Exportadores de Costa Rica (Cadexco) - exporters chamber - losses to the exporters for the three days of "tortuguismo" were greater than us$7 million dollars.

Liberman is in favour of the modernization of the Limón docks, saying "it is about time we take the actions necessary for Costa Rica to move forward with modernization and become competitive in the market place."

"For that we are pleased with the governments plan to privatize the docks, like it was at Caldera, which has shown increased productivity in the short time the docks are in private hands", said Liberman.

The Cámara de Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica y de Representantes de Casas Extranjeras (Crecex) completely rejected the union's position and actions of this past week, adding that slowdowns cost us$1 million dollars daily to the local economy.