united nations economic commission for latin america and the caribbean eclac distr limited lc mex l 424 18 february 2000 original english fiscal impact of trade liberalization commodity price fluctuation case costa rica 1980 1998 00 2 5 iii contents page summary 1 introduction 3 macroeconomic performance commercial regime 12 4 evolution tariff reduction its effects 13 non barriers other import taxes 20 6 export 23 7 promotion policies 24 8 28 9 conclusion 33 references 35 appendix 39 following a period growth political stability poverty spanning two decades 1960 1979 experienced at beginning s worst recession in most recent history 1981 1982 gross domestic product gdp fell by analysts pinpoint to short term factors long run structural problems as main causes comprise end coffee bonanza second oil shock