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U.S., Costa Rica Sign Statement on Increased Commercial Cooperation
(Statement paves the way for Central American Free Trade Agreement)
(16
October 2002)
U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce Grant Aldonas and Costa Rican
Minister of Foreign Trade Alberto Trejos signed a joint statement on October 16 to increase commercial cooperation between their two
nations, according to a U.S. Commerce Department press release.
The statement seeks to build upon a bilateral commercial relationship
that yielded $5.4 million in trade in 2001. Aldonas said that the statement also represents a first step in the broader
capacity-building efforts between the United States and the five
Central American nations as they prepare to negotiate a Central
American Free Trade Agreement early in 2003. As Aldonas explained, "the signing of this statement will further the solid foundation of
cooperation the U.S. and Costa Rica enjoy as we work toward a Central American Free Trade Agreement."
Under the terms of the joint statement, the United States and Costa
Rica will exchange information on major infrastructure and commercial opportunities in each country, as well as information on electronic
commerce, small business development and manufacturing quality improvements. The U.S. and Costa Rican governments also committed
themselves to facilitating trade missions, particularly for small and medium sized businesses, and support the growth of tourism between the
two nations.
Following is the text of the Commerce Department press release:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Washington, D.C.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2002
Bush Official Signs Joint Statement of Commercial Cooperation, Helps Boost U.S.-Costa Rica Trade
U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Grant Aldonas and Costa Rican Minister of Foreign Trade Alberto Trejos today signed
a joint statement aimed at boosting commercial cooperation between the two countries. The agreement will build on a business climate that
generated $5.4 billion in U.S.-Costa Rican trade last year.
"As neighbors, allies and trading partners, our futures are
necessarily tied together. The signing of this statement will further the solid foundation of cooperation the U.S. and Costa Rica enjoy as
we work toward a Central American Free Trade Agreement," said Aldonas.
Under the terms of the Joint Statement, the two countries will work together on a work plan to facilitate cooperative initiatives and
explore new avenues for mutual trade endeavors. The joint agreement includes the following:
-- Organize an exchange of information on major infrastructure and commercial opportunities in each country through expanded and shared
databases.
-- Increase the flow and sharing of information on electronic
commerce, technical standards, small business development, and
manufacturing quality improvements.
-- Facilitate trade missions to Costa Rica and the United States,
particularly from small and medium-sized businesses.
-- Support the growth and development of tourism between the two countries through trade promotion, data sharing, and partnering
activities.
The Statement represents a first step in the broader trade
capacity-building exercise underway between the U.S. and the five members of the Central American Economic Integration System as they
prepare to launch formal free trade area negotiations early next year.
The signing ceremony comes at the end of a 4-day Central American tour, that included meetings with President Bolaņos of Nicaragua;
President Pacheco of Costa Rica; other senior regional and U.S. government officials; and the private sector, including American
companies currently doing business in the region.
Remarking on his trip, Aldonas further noted, "Over the last four
days, government, business and civic leaders have demonstrated their support for increased relations between our countries so that all can
realize the benefits an open, free trading system can impart. It is now incumbent upon us -- the private and public sector leaders -- to
overcome the challenges facing our regions to advance the cause of freedom and enhance the opportunity for prosperity."
The working group will submit the work plan for consideration by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa
Rica by January 2003.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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