コスタリカ、ＴＰＰ参加表明　貿易と投資拡大で成長強化

　【サンパウロ時事】中米コスタリカのチャベス大統領は１１日までに、環太平洋連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加を目指すと表明した。貿易拡大や外国からの投資呼び込みを通じて経済成長を実現したい考えを強調。加盟申請交渉入りに意欲を示した。
　チャベス氏は８日の記者会見で、メキシコやコロンビア、ペルー、チリの中南米４カ国が経済統合を目指す「太平洋同盟」に加盟したい考えを表明した。その上で「最終目標はコスタリカを貿易取引が少ないアジアに向けて開放することだ」と主張。ＴＰＰへの参加に強い意欲をのぞかせた。（2022/07/12-08:28）

Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves has expressed hope that the Central American country will start negotiations to join the 11-country Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal.
   At a news conference Friday, Chaves said that his country wants to join the Pacific Alliance, a trade bloc among the four Latin American countries of Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Chile.
   The ultimate goal is to open up Costa Rica to Asia, whose trade volume with Costa Rica is low, Chaves also said, underscoring his wish to realize his country's participation in the TPP.
   Meanwhile, trade minister Manuel Tovar mentioned Japan as a key TPP member, showing expectations that Costa Rica will enjoy massive investments from the Asian country if it joins the TPP.
   Costa Rica, which has rich nature, enjoys political and economic stability. The country is also known for ecotourism and active use of renewable energy.