Learn about barriers to market entry and local requirements, i.e., things to be aware of when entering the market for this country.
Last Published: 10/18/2019

Much of Costa Rica’s basic infrastructure – especially ground transportation and water treatment - needs major upgrading.  The country’s worsening fiscal deficit situation places additional limitations on Costa Rica’s ability to finance needed infrastructure projects. Public-private partnerships as well as concessions continue to face numerous legal and procedural challenges that have delayed, in some cases, canceled major initiatives.  Costa Rica’s often slow and cumbersome bureaucracy poses a challenge to doing business throughout the country.

Costa Rica is facing fiscal deficit issues which have the potential to impact the country’s credit rating and necessitate cuts in government expenditures.  This represents a challenge in the face of Costa Rica’s need to make further infrastructure investments in ports, rail, roads and bridges.  Other international competitors, primarily from Asia, have repeatedly approached Costa Rican authorities with attractive financing options for specific infrastructure improvements.  

Costa Rica boasts that, on average, greater than 98% of the energy supply is from renewable sources.  Despite this achievement, energy costs are notably higher than comparable rates in the United States.  Costa Rican laws, regulations and practices are generally transparent and foster competition, except in sectors controlled by a state monopoly, where competition is explicitly excluded.   With regards to environmental regulations, the Costa Rican organization that reviews environmental impact statements has been historically slow to issue its findings, often causing delays for investors in completing projects.

In recent years, the government has placed efforts on improving enforcement of intellectual property laws throughout the country.  Nevertheless, Costa Rica remains on the watch list within the U.S. Trade Representative’s 2018 Special 301 Report.
 

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