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Costa Rica
| Economy Overview |
| Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. Low prices for coffee and bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt. The reduction of inflation remains a difficult problem because of rises in the price of imports, labor market rigidities, and fiscal deficits. The country also needs to reform its tax system and its pattern of public expenditure. Costa Rica recently concluded negotiations to participate in the US-Central American Free Trade Agreement, which, if ratified by the Costa Rican Legislature, would result in economic reforms and an improved investment climate. |
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| Economy Statistics |
| Exports: |
$6.184 billion (2004 est.) [?]
This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise exports on an f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
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Export
Commodities: |
coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment [?]
This entry provides a rank ordering of exported products starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
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Export
Partners: |
US 46.9%, Netherlands 5.3%, Guatemala 4.4% (2004) [?]
This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
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| Imports: |
$7.842 billion (2004 est.) [?]
This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise imports on a c.i.f. (cost, insurance, and freight) or f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
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Import
Commodities: |
raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum [?]
This entry provides a rank ordering of imported products starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
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Import
Partners: |
US 46.1%, Japan 5.9%, Mexico 5.1%, Brazil 4.2% (2004) [?]
This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
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| Costa Rican - American Chamber of Commerce |
| Address: |
AmCham Costa Rica - SJO 1576 P.O. Box 025216 - Miami, FL 33102 - 5216 |
| Phone: |
(506) 220-2200 |
| Fax: |
(506) 220-2300 |
| Website: |
http://www.amcham.co.cr/ |
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