FTA: A Myth Starts Falling
Prensa Latina, Cuba
FTA: A Myth Starts Falling
9 April 2008
Havana, Apr 9 (Prensa Latina) Despite rhetoric about their alleged benefits, the results of free trade agreements in Latin America are far from expected, experts attending the 7th Hemispheric Meeting of the Struggle against FTAs and for Integration of the Peoples said.
Costa Rican delegate Jorge Coronado said that it has been a year since the free trade agreement was signed in his country and other Central American nations, and targets regarding investment, agriculture, employment and intellectual property have not been met.
Investment from the United States decreased, while Central American trade deficit with the northern power increased.
There has also been a dismantling of agriculture in Costa Rica and other Central American nations in the interest of foreign business, he added.
The winners have been the fruit and flower transnationals and losers have been the poor farmers.
He mentioned other negative consequences, including mass dismissal of local workers who produce generic drugs by virtue of guidelines devised by the letter of the FTA on Intellectual Property.
Delegtes from Mexico, Peru and Uruguay, among others, agreed that another productive model is needed in their countries and in the region, as the current model has brought more poverty and dependence.
