Exporters from around Central America and the Caribbean Friday issued a plea for Costa Ricans to vote in favor of the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA) in a referendum on this trade pact Oct. 7.

The Federation of Chambers and Associations of Exporters from Central America, Panama and the Caribbean (FECAEXCA) is planning a meeting in Costa Rica before the referendum to present the advantages it believes the agreement holds for Central American countries, said Mónica Araya, president of the Costa Rican Chamber of Exporters.

Since other Central American countries have implemented CAFTA, they have seen an increase in exports and foreign direct investment, she said.

Costa Rica not ratifying CAFTA would be “critical for the region,” said the federation's president Juan Carlos Paiz, from Guatemala.

“If the result is unfavorable, it would throw off the chains of suppliers and exporters that have developed in the region,” he said.

The group fears that Costa Rica not ratifying CAFTA could also have a negative effect on negotiations the region is carrying out for an association agreement with the European Union.

Vilma de Calderón, president of the Corporation of Salvadoran Exporters (COEXPORT), added that CAFTA presents an “opportunity to conquer new consumer markets with different demands.”

His colleague Enrique Zamora, president of the Nicaraguan Association of Producers and Exporters, said the referendum is “important” because exporting gives countries a chance to build more dynamic economies and combat poverty. Since Nicaragua implemented CAFTA, exports have grown 19.5%, he said.

The federation discussed Costa Rica's upcoming CAFTA referendum, as well as other topics, during a meeting in Guatemala over the weekend.