BUSINESS PROFILE

ECONOMY: Costa Rica has a sizeable export economy whose earnings are derived partly from agriculture (coffee, bananas, meat, sugar and cocoa) and partly from manufacturing industry concentrated in food-processing, textiles, chemicals and plastics. The industrial sector is steadily expanding with government encouragement; new industries include aluminium, following the discovery of a large bauxite deposit. Oil and hydroelectricity meet the bulk of the country’s energy needs. Staple crops are also grown for domestic consumption. Costa Rica relies heavily on foreign loans and aid, most of this comes through international bodies such as the IMF and the Inter-American Development Bank. The United States is Costa Rica's largest trading partner, supplying almost half of total imports and taking a similar proportion of its exports. Costa Rica has a small net trade surplus with both the USA and the world as a whole.

BUSINESS: Customs tend to be conservative. Advance appointments, courtesy and punctuality are appreciated. It is necessary to have some knowledge of Spanish, although many locals speak English. Best months for business visits are November and December; avoid the last week of September, which is the end of the financial year.  Office hours: 0800-1200 and 1400-1600 Monday  to Friday.

COMMERCIAL INFORMATION: The following organizations can offer advice: Cámara de Comercio de Costa Rica (Chamber of Commerce), PO Box 1114, Barrio Tournón, Detras de Banco Bisca, Contiuel Parqueo, 1000 San José. Tel: 221 0005. Fax: 233 7091; or Cámara de Industrias de Costa Rica (Chamber of Industry), Apartado 10003, Calles 13-15, Avenida 6, 1000 San José. Tel: 223 2411. Fax: 222 1007.  Telex: 2474.

CONFERENCES / CONVENTIONS: ---