During the last two decades, Costa Rica’s trade policy has shifted from being one with a high level of protection into one that promotes openness and active trade negotiations internationally. In 2008, 90% of goods from Costa Rica were exported to world markets under Free Trade Agreements (FTA).

Current Trade Agreements:

• CAFTA – DR Central American and Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement with the USA. Law No. 8622 on November 21st, 2007, published in La Gaceta No. 246, December 21st, 2007.

• PANAMA Law No.8675 of October 17th 2008 and Executive Decree N°34825-COMEX (Ratification of the Republic of Costa Rica to the Free Trade Agreement between Central America and Panama, signed on March 6th 2002 and to the Bilateral Protocol between the Republic of Costa Rica and Panama, subscribed on August 7th 2007).

• CARICOM Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Costa Rica and the Caribbean States community, Law No. 8455 on September 19th, 2005, published in La Gaceta No. 193 on October 7th 2005, in effect as of November 15th, 2005.

• DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Free Trade Agreement between Central America and Dominican Republic, Law No. 7882 on June 9th, 1999, published in La Gaceta No. 132 on July 8th, 1999, in effect as of March 7th, 2002.

• CHILE Free Trade Agreement between Central America and Chile, Law No. 8055 on January 4th, 2001, published in La Gaceta No. 42 on February 28th, 2001, in effect as of February 15th, 2002.

• CANADA Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Government of Canada, signed in Ottawa on April 23rd, 2001. Law No. 8300 on September 10th, 2002 published in La Gaceta No. 198 on October 15th, 2002, in effect as of November 1st, 2002.

• MEXICO Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Government of the United Mexican States, Law No.7474 on December 19th, 1994, published in La Gaceta No. 244 on December 23rd, 1994, in effect as of January 1st, 1995.

Preferential Access to Markets

• ASIA

Trade Agreements Currently Being Negotiated

• Agreement between Central America and the European Union
• Agreement between Costa Rica and China
• Agreement between Costa Rica and Singapore

source: www.cinde.org