Costa Rica is a Central American country with a population of 4.6 million people. It has no military and focuses on eco-tourism and high-tech industries. Costa Rica has pursued policies to integrate into the global economy through foreign direct investment, trade, and clusters in industries like electronics. As a result, Costa Rica has experienced consistent economic growth, rising GDP per capita, low unemployment, and is one of the most prosperous nations in Latin America.

1. Costa Rica
The Switzerland of Latin America

2. Generalities
Capital city: San Jose
President : Laura Chinchilla Miranda
Geography:
51,000 km2 (130/172)
Tropical climat
Natural ressource: Hydro Power
28% of national parks and biological reserves
People: Main sectors:
4,636,348 inhabitants High technology, pharmacology,
90% Catolics Tourism, agriculture
Energy: Military:
24% fossil, 61% Hydro, No regular military forces
15% other renewables 0,6% of GDP expenditures (156/172)

3. Generalities

4. 7 Economic Factors and Industrial Policies from
Costa Rica
1. The Figueres Economic Strategy
2. Incorporation to Global Economy in order to compete on
productivity, efficiency, technology and higher value
3. Adoption of concept of Clusters
4. The Signing of the Central American Allegiance for
Sustainable Development
5. The existence of Zona Francas that foster the social
development
6. Great Economic Environment
7. AND appropriate macroeconomic management.

5. Impacts: General I
• Costa Rica is one of the most
attractive investment
environments in Latin America
• FDI rose 52% in 2011 and reaches
almost $2 billion ($ 530 millions in
2008). • GDP per capita since 1999
• President Laura Chinchilla, has set from 6.6K to 12k in 2011
a target for foreign investment to • Although only 1/20 of Mexico’s GDP,
total $9 billion during her four- tourism generates 20-25% revenue of
year term. those which Mexico’s tourism produces
• Unemployment rate of 6%
(71/200) • Gdp real growth rate: 4,2%
(90/216)

6. Impacts: General II

7. Impacts: Foreing Investment

8. Impacts: Exports I

9. Impacts: Exports II

10. Impacts: Consistent Growth

11. Conclusions
• Costa Rica = success story.
• The country enjoys the highest standard of living in Central
America and one of the highest in Latin America and the
Caribbean (LAC). Not surprisingly, poverty levels are among
the lowest in LAC.
• The country’s high income and low poverty levels are just a
reflection of good growth performance in recent years.
• Over the 1990-2007 period, Costa Rica averaged GDP
growth of 5.2 percent, a rate that allowed the country to
double its GDP in less than 14 years.
• Costa Rica’s productive structure was effectively
transformed from one based on primary products to a
(high-tech) manufacturing hub and a mecca for ecotourism.

12. Sources
• World Bank Country Sources.
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTCOSTARICA/Resources/CR_Compet
itiveness_Vol1.pdf
• Building a Cluster: Electronics and Information Technology in Costa Rica.
Harvard Business Review. September 26, 2011.
• Promotora del Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica (PROCOMER).
http://www.procomer.com/contenido/
• Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE).
http://www.cinde.org/es
• Banco Central de Costa Rica. (BCCR). http://www.bccr.fi.cr/